mcdonnell

mcdonnell

Photo by Brittany Woolsey.

At a farewell reception held Wednesday night for former Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Chief Jim McDonnell, City Manager Pat West reminded the newly-elected county sheriff that blue was a better color on him than beige.

The evening was full of laughs and well wishes for the former chief, who was recently sworn in as Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and came to the LBPD nearly five years ago from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

“You have become the poster child of someone who can’t keep a job,” West joked with McDonnell at the reception held at the Long Beach Arena.

West also acknowledged McDonnell’s accomplishments, even during the toughest time.

Violent crime went down by 41% since McDonnell joined the LBPD in 2010, West said, even with the loss of 200 officers during the recession.

“I think it’s clear to everyone that this is a man of high integrity, huge character, and who, most importantly, loved being a cop and the chief of our police department,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia of McDonnell. “He did a great job leading our police department through some difficult times, like the recession. We forget that not only was he here during some changes, but the worst economic depression our country has ever seen. To guide our department and to provide leadership during a difficult time, we will be forever grateful.”

New LBPD Chief Robert Luna said he admired McDonnell for his friendliness and good attitude while working for the LBPD.

And now, Luna said, McDonnell’s efforts are being recognized on a bigger scope.

“If any of you have walked around Los Angeles with Jim McDonnell, you’d think you were walking around with Elvis,” Luna said. “When you came to Long Beach, you immediately came in, and you were different. You cared, you spoke to everybody, and, more importantly, you listened to everybody. People immediately started to gravitate toward you, not just in our police department but in our community. You just love people, and that was amazing for us to see. In law enforcement, you consistently reminded us that this was about people. The most important thing is you not only talked about it, but you led by example.”

McDonnell, who resides in Long Beach, said the LBPD’s relationship with the city and its residents was key to his time as chief.

“When I look at the last five years I’ve had here, coming from the LAPD, I never thought I would be the Chief of Police of Long Beach PD,” he said. “But I look at that period of time and see how much I’ve learned, and how many relationships I’ve developed and hopefully will maintain for the rest of my life. I look back on the problems that we had, and we all dealt with it together and ended up in a good place as a result. The Police Department is a department within the city, and it’s our relationship with our community that makes it so special. I couldn’t be more proud to turn over my duties to Robert Luna, who has such a passion for the city and the profession that we serve. Goodbye for now, but we’re still partners. We’re still moving forward”