A progressive Los Angeles mayoral candidate has a three-point plan for how she’ll tear apart the Los Angeles Police Department, she said in asocial media videoMonday.
Democratic socialist Rae Huang, who has an outside shot of winning the city’s mayoralty behind Mayor Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and Nithya Raman, said she believes the department needs changing.
First, she said she will fire LAPD chief Jim McDonnell. She doesn’t specify any failures, but makes the bizarre claim that the LAPD is “one of the biggest legal gangs in the world.”
“While our streets and sidewalks go unrepaired, our mental health services get scaled back or defunded, and our communities are left to fend for themselves with little trust in the department, the LAPD keeps demanding more and more money every year. Who is the LAPD protecting and serving?” she said.
McDonnell has worked with the LAPD for more than 30 years and was appointed chief in November 2024.
He previously served as Long Beach’s police chief and as LA County Sheriff before taking the spot as LA’s chief.
Huang says she’ll urge the Police Commission to remove McDonnell. Whatever their decision, the council or mayor has the option to reverse it. If the council reverses, it’ll go to a vote, which needs a 2/3rd majority.
The socialist will also direct any liability payouts to come directly from the LAPD budget instead of the city’s discretionary fund. She said the city has paid out nearly $400 million in such payments since 2019.
Lastly, Huang said, she’ll direct the city attorney to “prosecute and arrest cops who break the law.”
“The process exists, what’s missing is the will to use it. I have that will. Let’s reinvest in real safety for the people,” Huang sold herself to voters.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
