In a significant move since assuming leadership of the Los Angeles Police Department in November, Chief Jim McDonnell has announced a comprehensive shake-up within the upper ranks of the department.
The reorganization comes amid ongoing recruitment challenges and uncertainty surrounding McDonnell’s vision for transforming the LAPD. He has elevated three deputy chiefs—Emada Tingirides, Michael Rimkunas, and Scott Harrelson—to prominent roles while also revitalizing a long-dormant bureau.
The department-wide email detailing the changes was sent last week, although the appointments will not take effect until later this month.
Emada Tingirides, previously in contention for the chief position herself, has been promoted to assistant chief overseeing the Office of Operations, responsible for patrol functions. This appointment positions her as the highest-ranking Black woman in LAPD history, and insiders suggest it may be an effort to encourage her to remain with the department after being named a finalist for the chief role in Fort Worth.
Scott Harrelson will take charge of training and recruitment as the new head of the Office of Support Services, succeeding Assistant Chief Daniel Randolph, who is expected to retire soon.
Joining McDonnell’s inner circle are two officials who were part of the administration under former Chief Michel Moore: Rimkunas, who will lead the Office of Special Operations, and Dominic Choi, who served as interim chief prior to McDonnell’s appointment. Choi has transitioned to the role of chief of staff, essentially making him the department’s No. 2.
Among the changes, McDonnell has also revived the department’s Human Resources Bureau, which was previously disbanded in 2004, although the specific duties of this newly reinstated bureau have not been clarified yet.
There is still some ambiguity regarding whether McDonnell’s reorganization plan will need approval from the City Council, which historically has had a say in the department’s structural modifications.
Upon taking charge last year, McDonnell had indicated an intention to spend at least three months familiarizing himself with the LAPD’s evolution since his initial tenure there, which ended in 2010 when he became the chief in Long Beach. His examination process was interrupted by significant events, including January fires and protests linked to federal immigration enforcement.
These incidents created an unexpected framework for McDonnell to assess his senior staff’s responses in crisis situations, as he mentioned in a recent press conference.
The chief disclosed that he had delayed his plans for reorganization pending budget outcomes and the completion of a thorough study of the department conducted by Rand Corp., a global policy think tank. This review was finalized recently, and McDonnell indicated he is currently weighing its insights alongside recommendations from various internal working groups addressing recruitment, discipline, and workplace dynamics.
While refusing to provide specifics, McDonnell has hinted at an intention to strengthen the department’s detective ranks and reform the processes managing officer misconduct complaints, which have been sources of contentious debate over time.
“I have in rough form what I think it could look like, but I certainly want to get the input from those who are dealing with it on a day-to-day basis on how do we best deal with the nuances of doing the job today with the number of resources that we have,” McDonnell communicated to reporters.
Critics have increasingly expressed concern over what they perceive as a slow pace of change under McDonnell’s direction, arguing that swifter actions are necessary especially with significant events such as next year’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon.
Additionally, the recent personnel changes included the relocation of Deputy Chief Marc Reina from the Training Bureau to South Bureau, where he previously served as captain. Meanwhile, German Hurtado, who previously held the role of the department’s immigration coordinator, has been promoted to deputy chief over Central Bureau, a region that has been at the center of recent protests.
Hurtado has faced scrutiny due to being named in at least two pending lawsuits by LAPD officials, who allege he concealed inappropriate uses of force by officers during the 2020 protests. The city has refuted these claims and is actively defending against the legal actions in court.
Hurtado remarked, “As far as I know, I’m only named as a witness in those cases, and I’m not at liberty to talk about ongoing lawsuits,” when contacted by The Times.
As McDonnell navigates these changes and challenges, the future direction of the LAPD remains under close observation by both supporters and critics alike, as the department looks to address pressing issues while preparing for significant upcoming events.
image source from：latimes
