LAPD Chief Cites 1981 Start Date in Dispute Over ICE Cooperation

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell rejected accusations that the department shared operational data with federal immigration agents, citing state statutes and internal policy changes.

Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman has pledged to fire McDonnell if she wins the election, arguing the LAPD protected and cooperated with ICE during recent raids. In an interview with ABC7, Raman stated that credible reports indicate the police shared information from fingerprint databases and Flock cameras, a practice she said endangered residents while the Trump administration conducted street operations.

McDonnell told ABC7 that the LAPD is prohibited by state law from sharing specific types of information with ICE. He clarified that while the department works closely with federal partners, it does not engage in immigration enforcement with them. Regarding the Flock camera controversy, McDonnell explained that the department moved away from the vendor because it failed to provide the same civil liberties assurances as two other providers.

On the issue of fingerprint sharing, McDonnell explained that the LAPD must submit booking data to the California Department of Justice under the state penal code. The state agency then transfers that data to the federal database. He noted that without this process, a fugitive from New York or Georgia could commit a crime in Los Angeles and escape detection if local systems were not linked to the national database.

Raman criticized McDonnell for failing to build trust with the immigrant community. In response, McDonnell pointed to the department's demographic makeup since he joined the force in 1981. He stated that 57% of the sworn workforce and over 50% of the civilian professional staff are Latino, mirroring the community the police serve.

McDonnell described the political scrutiny as painful but manageable, noting his 45 years in Los Angeles and Los Angeles County policing. He said he focuses on public safety rather than politics, adding that the upcoming 2028 Olympics and the following year's Super Bowl require tight coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement. Raman has not specified a timeline for when she would dismiss the chief if elected.