Immigrant Protection and Community Engagement
Immigration Policy
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) follows a rule called Special Order 40. This rule was made in 1979. It says the police cannot stop or ask someone about their immigration status without another reason. This means that the LAPD does not check if someone is an immigrant just because they look or sound different. This rule is important to make sure everyone feels safe around the police.
Community Engagement
Chief Jim McDonnell wants to make sure the police work well with everyone in the community. This includes people from all different backgrounds and countries. He wants everyone to feel safe and included. McDonnell is focusing on talking to people face-to-face to build trust. This approach helps people feel more comfortable talking to the police.
Collaboration with Consulates
The LAPD is also working with consulates from Mexico and other Central American countries. Consulates are like small offices of these countries in the United States that help their citizens. Together, they are planning ways to protect immigrants. One idea is to make a video explaining the police’s policies. This video will help calm fears within the immigrant community and make sure they understand the LAPD’s mission to protect everyone.
Budget and Operational Considerations
Budget and Funding
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) depends a lot on money from grants to buy equipment and tools. Most of the department’s budget, however, is spent on paying the officers and staff. Chief Jim McDonnell plans to work with big national police groups, such as the Major Cities Chiefs Association, to talk with the Trump administration. His goal is to make sure the department still gets the money it needs, even if there are changes in funding.
Recruitment and Expansion
Chief McDonnell wants to increase the number of police officers in the LAPD. Right now, there are just under 9,000 officers, but he aims to reach at least 10,000 officers and hopefully even more. This is very important because Los Angeles will be hosting big events like the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl in 2027, and the Olympics in 2028. More officers will help keep everyone safe during these events.
Salary and Compensation
Chief McDonnell’s annual salary was set at $450,000. Although this is less than the original proposal of $507,509 due to the city’s budget concerns, it is still more than what past police chiefs have received. It is also higher than the salaries of police chiefs in other big cities.
For more information on the LAPD’s budget and funding, you can visit the LAPD Budget page.
Addressing Concerns and Legal Issues
Addressing Past Cooperation with ICE
Chief Jim McDonnell understands that some people are worried about his past actions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when he was the L.A. County sheriff. He wants to reassure everyone that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will not help ICE with mass deportations. When he was sheriff, the number of people handed over to immigration authorities dropped. He wants people to feel safe and know that the LAPD is there to protect and serve, not deport.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The LAPD has a rule that they do not do immigration enforcement. This policy has been in place for a long time, even when federal rules change. The city’s mayor and other leaders support this rule because they worry about new immigration plans from the Trump administration. They believe everyone in the city should feel safe and protected by the police, no matter their immigration status.
Community Trust and Accountability
Chief McDonnell knows that building trust in the community is very important. He promises that the police will be respectful and follow the rules. The chief also wants to handle issues inside the police department, like making sure officers are happy and doing their jobs well. He is focused on making the LAPD a place where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
More info about community policing can be found on the community policing page.