"Some officials had began to wonder how closely the 66-year-old McDonnell, who stepped into the job in November 2024 after recent work in consulting and academia, was involved in day-to-day operations. Choi is often attached to his hip, and McDonnell has privately advised other senior staff to go through the assistant chief for key matters, leaving some uncertainty about how shots are called, the sources said."
"By some measures, McDonnell has been a success. Violent crime citywide has continued to decline. Despite the LAPD's hiring struggles, officials say that applications by new recruits have been increasing. And support for the chief remains strong in some political circles, where backers lauded his ability to navigate so many challenges, most not of his own making - from the city's financial crisis and civil unrest to the devastating wildfires that hit just two months after he was sworn in."
Jim McDonnell became LAPD chief in November 2024 at age 66 after work in consulting and academia. Multiple senior officials express uncertainty about his hands-on involvement in daily operations and who makes key decisions. Assistant Chief Dominic Choi is frequently at McDonnell's side, and other senior staff have been privately told to route key matters through Choi. At a senior staff meeting McDonnell described Choi as his "eyes and ears" without adding clarity. By some measures the department shows progress: violent crime has declined and recruit applications are increasing, while political backers praise McDonnell's navigation of financial crises, civil unrest, and wildfires.
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