LOS ANGELES — Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who was sworn in as the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday, will draw one of the highest police chief salaries in the U.S. for a major city.
Before the ceremony, the city council approved McDonnell’s base salary of $450,000, which the LA board of police commissioners requested. That is down from the board’s initial proposal of $507,509 — which was a jump of more than $150,000 from the previous chief’s salary.
The salary range for the position was set at $408,475 to $507,509 during the search process.
The previous chief, Michel Moore, who announced his retirement in January, made a base salary of $391,268 in 2023, according to city controller data.
McDonnell, 65, will take charge of a force of nearly 9,000 officers that has been led by Interim Chief Dominic Choi.
The New York Police Department commissioner, who oversees the largest police department in the country with more than 30,000 officers, makes around $243,000, according to city records for the last two commissioners. Chicago’s Superintendent of Police, Larry Snelling, makes $275,748, according to city records posted online.
McDonnell will also make more than the current LA County sheriff’s salary of $397,340, according to county records.
The city council confirmed McDonnell’s appointment in a 10-2 vote Friday, with city councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez opposing.
Some have criticized the decision to pay McDonnell what they call an “exorbitant” salary while the city council faces budget issues.
“Why wouldn’t we start him at a lower rate? Given the situation that the city is in,” said police commissioner Maria Lou Calanche during a meeting Tuesday.
Chuck Wexler, executive director of Washington-based nonprofit think tank Police Executive Research Forum, said West Coast police chiefs generally earn more than their East Coast counterparts, according to a 2021 survey of more than 300 departments across the country.
And he said LA traditionally ranks among the highest, though McDonnell’s pay is $100,000 more than the previous chief’s salary.
“Salaries for police officers across the country have been significantly impacted by a high number of resignations and retirements,” Wexler said. “With the increase in entry-level salaries, executive compensation has increased also.”
The $450,000 salary does not include benefits or potential bonuses. McDonnell will also be allowed to continue…
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