Crime & Safety

Long Beach Police Chief Gets Major Endorsement in Bid for Sheriff's Post

In light of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca's retirement, voters will elect a new sheriff either in the June primary or a November run-off election.

The California Police Chiefs Association today endorsed Long Beach police Chief Jim McDonnell's candidacy for Los Angeles County Sheriff.

“Jim McDonnell is one of the most respected law enforcement leaders, not only in Los Angeles County, but in the state of California,'' said Covina police Chief Kim Raney, president of the police chiefs association.

Sheriff Lee Baca retired on Thursday, and was replaced on an interim basis by Orange County Undersheriff John Scott, who was with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department from 1969 to 2005.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McDonnell has been the chief of the Long Beach Police Department since March 2010. He served for 29 years on the Los Angeles Police Department, rising to the level of assistant chief.

Voters will elect a new sheriff either in a June primary or November run-
off election to serve a four-year term that begins in December.

Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The field includes McDonnell, former sheriff's Cmdr. Bob Olmsted, former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka and former Lt. Patrick Gomez, as well as assistant sheriffs Todd Rogers and James Hellmold and Los Angeles police detective Lou Vince.

If one candidate gets a majority of the vote, eliminating the need for a run-off, the board will appoint that sheriff-elect to the interim position. Otherwise, Scott will serve until December.

--City News Service


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