This post was updated Oct. 7 at 12:27 a.m.

Jim McDonnell was named as the next LAPD chief of police Friday.

Mayor Karen Bass announced McDonnell would be stepping in as chief of police at a 9 a.m. press conference, closing out a months-long search. The position had been filled on an interim basis since February by Dominic Choi – who will now return to serving as assistant chief.

“To reduce crime and make LA safer by growing and strengthening the LAPD, building up community relations and ensuring that our city is prepared, I have selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the 59th chief of police of the Los Angeles Department,” Bass said. 

McDonnell was selected through input from LA’s personnel department, the Los Angeles Police Commission, a recruiting firm and community leaders, said Erroll Southers, president of the Los Angeles Police Commission. 

Bass said McDonnell aligns with her initiatives to prevent crime and hold people accountable, as well as strengthening LAPD. To do so, Bass said she and McDonnell will recruit and hire new officers as well as improving officer morale. Additionally, she said McDonnell plans to deploy more officers on the street and modernize the technology LAPD uses. 

Strengthening relationships with the community is one of the goals McDonnell will put in place, Bass said. 

“The community and our officers should always be allies in keeping our neighborhoods safe,” she said. “Different strategies, we know, are required for different neighborhoods.” 

Bass thanked Interim Chief Choi for his “steady leadership.” 

At the conference, McDonnell said it is an honor to lead the LAPD, reiterating his goals of enhancing public safety while regrowing the department and developing community relations. 

“To those considering a career in public safety, I say join us to build a safer Los Angeles,” McDonnell said. “This is a time of great challenge – but a time of tremendous opportunity.” 

McDonnell began his career with the LAPD and held every rank up to First Assistant Chief of Police, according to a press release from Bass’ office. In 2010, McDonnell left the LAPD to become chief of the Long Beach Police Department, serving for almost five years. 

In 2014, McDonnell was elected as sheriff of LA County, though he did not win reelection in 2018.

He has also been a part of several local, national and international safety associations, including the Major County Sheriffs of America, the California Peace Officers’ Association, the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Peace Officers’ Association of Los Angeles County, the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the California Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards & Training. 

“I love this city, and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” McDonnell said. “We will work hard to make sure that you are supported with your work to be able to keep all Angelenos safe.”