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The next L.A. County Sheriff may be one of Long Beach’s own.

Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced late Monday that he would be launching a campaign for the top cop seat, less than a week after the unexpected news that Sheriff Lee Baca would be retiring early instead of running for re-election in June. 

McDonnell was originally tapped as a potential candidate for the position last year, but after a few months declined to run, citing the difficulties in challenging an incumbent. With Baca’s January 7 retirement announcment, McDonnell quickly re-considered his decision.

“Serving the residents of Los Angeles County as their Sheriff would truly be a unique opportunity with both challenges and rewards,” McDonnell told media the same day. “I am humbled to have my name mentioned in connection with this position.”

Before taking over the Long Beach Police Department in 2010, McDonnell served 29 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, eventually serving as second in command under Bratton. Last year, he was chosen by County Supervisor Don Knabe to serve on the Board’s Jail Violence Commission, which scrutinized the violence discovered in jails under Baca’s ultimate command. A recently completed federal probe into the allegations yielded charges against 18 current and former deputies.

McDonnell is joined by four law enforcement veterans on the June 7 primary ballot for Sheriff including Paul Tanaka, the former undersheriff; Patrick Gomez, a retired sheriff’s lieutenant; Bob Olmsted, a retired sheriff’s commander; and Lou Vince, a Los Angeles Police Department detective supervisor and sheriff’s reserve deputy. 

The Board of Supervisors has not yet made any announcement on who will replace Baca in the interim. 

“For the past year I have had the privilege of being the President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association. Serving in this capacity has given me an even greater awareness of the needs of the many cities that comprise this County,” McDonnell said January 7. “While each jurisdiction has varying capabilities and resources, our greatest strength is in our ability and willingness to work together to provide world-class service to those who live, work and visit Los Angeles County.”

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