Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2025 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to Which Way, L.A.?

Which Way, L.A.?

Candidate for LA County Sheriff, Jim McDonnell

LA County has the largest Sheriff’s Department in the United States, with 18,000 sworn and professional staff and a budget of $2.5 billion. In recent years, it’s been plagued with scandal, including jailhouse brutality.

  • rss
  • Share
By Warren Olney • Oct 23, 2014 • 1 min read

LA County has the largest Sheriff’s Department in the United States, with 18,000 sworn and professional staff and a budget of $2.5 billion. In recent years, it’s been plagued with scandal, including jailhouse brutality. Six deputies have been sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy and misconduct, and the federal Justice Department is imposing a consent decree. In January, Lee Baca retired in disgrace.

Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell got 49.4% of the vote in the June primary—almost winning outright. Former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka made the runoff with 15%, and he has stopped campaigning. We’re joined in the studio by Chief McDonnell.

Warren Olney sits down with Jim McDonnell

Jim McDonnell in the WWLA? recording studio

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Jim McDonnell

    LAPD Chief

    News
Back to Which Way, L.A.?