New LA police chief sworn in as one of the highest-paid chiefs in the US

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who was sworn in as the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday, will draw one of the highest police chief salaries in the U.S. for a major city.

Before the ceremony, the city council approved McDonnell’s base salary of $450,000, which the LA board of police commissioners requested. That is down from the board's initial proposal of $507,509 — which was a jump of more than $150,000 from the previous chief's salary.

The salary range for the position was set at $408,475 to $507,509 during the search process.

The previous chief, Michel Moore, who announced his retirement in January, made a base salary of $391,268 in 2023, according to city controller data.

McDonnell, 65, will take charge of a force of nearly 9,000 officers that has been led by Interim Chief Dominic Choi.

The New York Police Department commissioner, who oversees the largest police department in the country with more than 30,000 officers, makes around $243,000, according to city records for the last two commissioners. Chicago’s Superintendent of Police, Larry Snelling, makes $275,748, according to city records posted online.

McDonnell will also make more than the current LA County sheriff’s salary of $397,340, according to county records.

The city council confirmed McDonnell's appointment in a 10-2 vote Friday, with city councilmembers Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez opposing.

Some have criticized the decision to pay McDonnell what they call an “exorbitant” salary while the city council faces budget issues.

"Why wouldn't we start him at a lower rate? Given the situation that the city is in," said police commissioner Maria Lou Calanche during a meeting Tuesday.

Chuck Wexler, executive director of Washington-based nonprofit think tank Police Executive Research Forum, said West Coast police chiefs generally earn more than their East Coast counterparts, according to a 2021 survey of more than 300 departments across the country.

And he said LA traditionally ranks among the highest, though McDonnell’s pay is $100,000 more than the previous chief’s salary.

“Salaries for police officers across the country have been significantly impacted by a high number of resignations and retirements,” Wexler said. “With the increase in entry-level salaries, executive compensation has increased also.”

The $450,000 salary does not include benefits or potential bonuses. McDonnell will also be allowed to continue receiving pension payments from his previous roles.

"I'm honored to get what the commission felt that this job was worth, I competed for the job, I was fortunate enough to be the one appointed," McDonnell said on his compensation, which he described as “somewhat midrange” of the salary range and reflective of his experience and education.

The vote came at the end of a lengthy and tumultuous public comment period and questioning from city councilmembers, during which several people were thrown out of council chambers. McDonnell’s appointment was heavily opposed by immigration advocates, who say he allowed federal authorities to operate freely while he was sheriff and shared information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Maria Estrada, a worker with the Service Employees International Union, said at the council hearing Friday that she remembers when McDonnell was sheriff and her coworkers reported crime committed against them.

“Some of these coworkers were deported,” she said. “Thousands of us members here in this community are scared for this man to take office.”

McDonnell addressed these concerns during his confirmation hearing.

“I want to be unequivocal. LAPD will protect L.A.’s immigrant community. We will not cooperate with mass deportations and on an individual level, officers will not take action to determine a person’s immigration status and will not arrest them for that status,” McDonnell said. “Los Angeles is a city of immigrants, and my job is to protect this city. That’s exactly what I’ll do.”

He acknowledged the fears brought on by President Donald Trump's victory on Tuesday and his campaign promises of mass deportation. McDonnell said he would not work with federal agencies on immigration enforcement issues.

Mayor Karen Bass picked McDonnell out of three candidates selected by a civilian board of Los Angeles police commissioners, which included Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides and former Assistant Chief Robert “Bobby” Arcos. Both were reported by the Los Angeles Times as finalists for the position. Bass met with hundreds of LAPD officers and community leaders before making her decision.

McDonnell was elected LA County Sheriff in 2014 to oversee the largest sheriff’s department in the U.S. Before that, he spent 29 years in the LAPD and served as Long Beach’s police chief for almost five years.

Members of the Los Angeles City Council's vote is displayed on a monitor to confirm Mayor Karen Bass' appointment of former county Sheriff James McDonnell as the next Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police at a meeting of the Council's public safety committee on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Former county Sheriff James McDonnell smiles as members of the Los Angeles City Council confirm him as Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police at a meeting of the Council's public safety committee on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Members of the Los Angeles City Council question former county Sheriff James McDonnell during a meeting of the Council's public safety committee on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Newly sworn-in Chief of Police James McDonnell takes questions from the media after Los Angeles City Council confirmed him as the city's new police chief at a Council's public safety committee meeting on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Newly sworn-in Chief of Police James McDonnell takes questions from the media after Los Angeles City Council confirmed him as the city's new police chief at a Council's public safety committee meeting on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Newly sworn-in Chief of Police James McDonnell takes questions from the media after Los Angeles City Council confirmed him as the city's new police chief at a Council's public safety committee meeting on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Newly sworn-in Chief of Police James McDonnell takes questions from the media after Los Angeles City Council confirmed him as the city's new police chief at a Council's public safety committee meeting on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Cargill today announced the maiden voyage of Brave Pioneer, the first of five green methanol dual-fuel dry bulk vessels chartered by the company. The deployment of the Brave Pioneer marks another important milestone in Cargill’s broader decarbonization efforts – one focused on innovation, testing and learning as the company works with customers and partners to refine future-ready solutions for Cargill and the industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114083757/en/

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative. The estimated CO2 saving of using green methanol compared to conventional fuel is up to 70%.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe. Through Brave Pioneer ’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

“Decarbonising global shipping requires a mix of technologies and the willingness to take bold steps before the entire ecosystem is ready,” said Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Technologies like green methanol or wind-assisted propulsion come with uncertainty. But as an industry leader, we have a responsibility to test these innovations on the water, share what we learn, and help shape the systems and standards that will enable wider adoption.”

Setting the Stage for a New Low-Carbon Fleet

The launch of Brave Pioneer paves the way for the four additional vessels that will join Cargill’s fleet over the coming years. The addition of these vessels strengthens Cargill’s multi-solution decarbonization approach, which includes wind-assisted propulsion, voyage optimization technologies, energy-efficiency retrofits and exploration of alternative fuels such as biofuels and ethanol.

Each represents another step in the company’s broader efforts to embed sustainability into global ocean supply chains and support customers looking for practical, lower-carbon freight options.

“We know the road to low carbon shipping will require a mix of solutions and green methanol is one part of that portfolio,” Dieleman continued. “Our new fleet is about optionality and adaptability. These vessels are engineered to perform at a best-in-class level on conventional fuel today, while allowing us to switch to greener fuels as availability improves. It’s a practical way to future-proof ocean transport.”

As one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, Cargill’s actions send a strong demand signal to the market and serve as an open invitation for others in the maritime sector to join in advancing the transition to sustainable shipping.

The initiative supports Cargill’s broader effort to reduce supply chain emissions and invest and test practical innovations that advance progress toward a more sustainable global food system. Green methanol-enabled vessels—paired with the eventual expansion of renewable fuel supply—are expected to play a meaningful role in reducing maritime emissions over the coming decade.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Through Brave Pioneer’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe.

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative.