Jim McDonnell Named LAPD Chief: What It Means for the Armenian Community in Los Angeles

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: On Friday, October 4, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass appointed Jim McDonnell as the new Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), marking the end of a months-long search to replace Michel Moore, who announced his retirement earlier this year. McDonnell's appointment, which comes after a career spanning decades in law enforcement, has raised interest and concern among various communities, particularly the large Armenian population in Los Angeles.

For insight into how this appointment could affect the Armenian community, we turned to Araz Parseghian, President of the North Valley Area Planning Commission. As a trusted figure in the Armenian community, Parseghian provided valuable perspectives on McDonnell’s track record and the potential changes that might come with his leadership.

Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Armenian communities outside Armenia, with a significant portion residing within the city limits. Parseghian expressed optimism about McDonnell’s appointment, drawing attention to the police chief's previous work in law enforcement and his connection to the Armenian community.

"Jim McDonnell is no stranger to the Armenian community,” Parseghian shared. “He worked closely with us during his time with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. I think he's going to do a great job focusing on bringing more people on board and ensuring that resources are properly allocated."

Parseghian mentioned McDonnell's tenure as Sheriff of L.A. County from 2014 to 2018 demonstrated his ability to implement important reforms. However, McDonnell lost his re-election bid in 2018, a defeat that Parseghian attributed to his focus on improving the Sheriff’s Department rather than campaigning heavily for re-election. Despite this, McDonnell retained support from the Armenian community during that election cycle, owing to his close work with Armenian staffers and advocacy groups.

One of the major concerns for the Armenian community, like many other Angelenos, is safety. Parseghian emphasized that public safety has become increasingly important in light of rising crime rates in parts of the city. He believes McDonnell’s experience in both LAPD and the Sheriff’s Department makes him well-suited to tackle these challenges.

“We’ve faced a shortage of law enforcement officers in the city, which has been a huge issue. I believe McDonnell is going to focus on recruitment, bringing in more personnel, and making sure we have the resources to keep our communities safe,” Parseghian said.

He also mentioned the growth of Armenian representation within the LAPD, although he acknowledged that it remains insufficient. While there are more Armenian officers in the force now compared to previous years, Parseghian hopes that McDonnell’s leadership will encourage more recruitment from the Armenian community.

“I personally know several Armenian officers serving in different divisions, but we could always use more,” he explained. “Having more Armenian officers in the LAPD would help bridge cultural gaps and enhance community relations.”

When asked about McDonnell’s predecessor, Michel Moore, Parseghian shared mixed feelings. While he acknowledged that Moore was an effective leader in some areas, he noted that Moore did not significantly engage with the Armenian community. Despite attending some events, Parseghian felt that the Armenian community lacked proper representation under Moore’s leadership.

"We didn’t see as much of Moore as we would have liked," Parseghian said. "Representation matters, and we hope that under McDonnell, we’ll see more Armenian officers and advisers in positions of influence."

Not everyone is fully on board with McDonnell’s appointment. Some activists, including Black Lives Matter leaders, have voiced concerns about McDonnell’s tenure as Sheriff, particularly regarding his handling of jail reforms and relations with immigrant communities. However, Parseghian dismissed the notion that McDonnell’s values are overly conservative or out of touch with the needs of a diverse city like Los Angeles.

“I don’t believe McDonnell holds strictly conservative views,” Parseghian said. “He’s more of a balanced leader who understands both sides of the issues. His focus has always been on reducing corruption and improving accountability in the departments he’s led.”

Parseghian also said that McDonnell’s past work on addressing homelessness and mental health issues demonstrates his commitment to tackling the complex social problems facing Los Angeles. He believes McDonnell’s practical approach to these challenges will be beneficial for the city as a whole.

One of the main reasons Parseghian is confident in McDonnell’s ability to lead the LAPD is the fact that the position is appointed, not elected. According to Parseghian, this gives McDonnell the opportunity to focus on effective law enforcement without the pressures of campaigning or political maneuvering.

“He doesn’t have to worry about running for office this time, so he can dedicate his time to what really matters: making sure our city is safe and that the police department is inclusive and effective,” Parseghian explained.

With McDonnell at the helm, Parseghian hopes to see initiatives aimed at building greater representation and cultural understanding within the LAPD. He also looks forward to McDonnell’s continued efforts to bring more Armenians into the police force.

“Hiring Armenian officers won’t just benefit the Armenian community,” Parseghian said. “It’ll help other officers better understand Armenian culture and why we do things a certain way. This kind of cross-cultural education is important in a diverse city like Los Angeles.”

As Jim McDonnell steps into the role of LAPD chief, his leadership will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the city’s Armenian community. With a strong track record in law enforcement, a commitment to public safety, and established relationships with Armenian leaders, McDonnell’s appointment offers hope for a more inclusive and responsive police department.

In an interview with The Armenian Report, Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid shared his perspective on McDonnell’s appointment and its potential impact on the region, including Glendale, where a significant portion of the Armenian community resides. Chief Cid emphasized McDonnell’s solid reputation and extensive experience in law enforcement.

"I’ve known Jim a long time," Cid said. "He’s a true professional with a deep breadth of experience and knowledge. He’s worked with diverse communities, and I have no doubt that his leadership will extend to Glendale, specifically to the Armenian community."

Chief Cid also mentioned the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in the region. Given the interconnected challenges that cities like Los Angeles and Glendale face, such as retail theft, residential burglaries, and homelessness, effective cooperation is essential. "Many of the challenges we see don’t have boundaries. LA’s challenges often become Glendale’s challenges, and vice versa," Cid explained. He praised past collaborations with Los Angeles on task forces and investigations, particularly regarding retail theft and residential burglaries, and expressed hope that McDonnell’s leadership would continue to build strong partnerships.

Another area Chief Cid focused on was the use of technology in modern law enforcement. He stressed the need for agencies to leverage technology to enhance efficiency and safety. In Glendale, for example, the police department is establishing a real-time intelligence center to improve crime-solving capabilities. Cid believes that Los Angeles, under McDonnell’s leadership, will continue to be forward-thinking and use technology to set a standard for the region.

“We’re excited to see what he’ll accomplish,” Parseghian said. “For us, safety is a priority, and I believe McDonnell is the right person for the job.”