Some L.A. councilmembers unsure on McDonnell as LAPD chief

At this point, it appears a virtual certainty that former L.A. County Sheriff Jim McDonnell will become LAPD's next Chief of Police, but when council members vote next month, the decision will likely NOT be unanimous.

KNX News' Craig Fiegener has spoken with many members of the city council, and at least four say they're still unsure exactly how they plan to vote.

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Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez is among those who said she's yet to make a final decision on whether to support McDonnell's appointment.

Mayor Karen Bass recently told KNX News that one of the driving forces behind her choosing McDonnell as chief was to help boost officer morale. She said, "If the police officers are down in the dumps, then how do you expect their interactions with communities to be positive?"

Hernandez said, "I have a lot of thoughts, but I believe that we need someone in that position who's going to take LAPD to the 21st century. Who's going to understand what the officers need, but also understands what the community needs and where we need to go to get to a better place."

She said that though the Olympics, World Cup, and other major events are on the horizon for the city, "Our communities are here every day, dealing with the department, not just in those moments of intensity, so I'm looking forward to a leader that's going to do that."

When asked if she sees McDonnell as the man who can do these things, she said, "I think I'd like to see more."

Hernandez will have an opportunity to learn more about McDonnell, first on October 29th, when he will be quizzed by L.A.'s Public Safety Committee, and then on November 6th, when he will appear before the entire 15-member Los Angeles City Council.

It takes eight YES votes for McDonald to become LAPD's next chief.

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