LAPD Chief McDonnell rejects Raman claims of ICE data sharing

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell denied allegations that the department actively shares data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to aid immigration raids. The response comes as mayoral candidate Nithya Raman pledges to dismiss McDonnell if she wins the election. Raman stated in an interview that credible reports suggest the LAPD shared information from fingerprint databases and Flock cameras with ICE. She argued that this cooperation endangered residents while the federal administration conducts street-level enforcement actions.

McDonnell pushed back against the claim of a working partnership. He noted that state law prohibits the sharing of certain information types. Regarding the Flock camera system, he explained that the LAPD backed away from the vendor because it did not meet the department's comfort level regarding civil liberties compliance. Other vendors met those standards, but Flock did not. He emphasized that while the police work closely with federal partners, they do not collaborate with them on immigration enforcement.

The chief addressed the specific accusation regarding fingerprints. He explained that when the LAPD books an arrestee, state penal code requires the sharing of that data with the California Department of Justice. The state agency then forwards the information to a federal database. McDonnell argued this is a standard procedure to identify fugitives. Without this national database, a person who committed a crime in another state could enter Los Angeles and avoid detection. He maintained that this legal requirement is distinct from a strategic alliance with ICE.

Mayor Karen Bass also weighed in on the dispute. She told ABC7 that the claim the LAPD was working on behalf of ICE is not true. Raman has not specified a timeline for firing the chief if elected. She has also argued that McDonnell has failed to build trust with the immigrant community. The candidate said the department's actions have created friction with residents.

McDonnell responded to the trust issue by citing the department's demographic makeup. He pointed out that 57% of the sworn workforce is Latino. He added that more than 50% of the civilian professional staff identifies as Latino. He stated that the department mirrors the community it serves. He contrasted the organization's current state with where it stood when he began working in Los Angeles policing in 1981.

The chief described the political debate as a distraction from public safety duties. He said he focuses on safety rather than politics. He acknowledged that activists have a role in shaping the political agenda. He noted that he has thick skin after 45 years in the field. He also referenced his four-year tenure as a sheriff to explain his familiarity with the political environment. He described that environment as ugly at times, with some actors taking actions they cannot later reverse.

The dispute has placed the police chief in the center of the mayoral race. Raman has pledged to remove him from his position if she secures the office. The department is preparing for major upcoming events, including the Super Bowl next year and the Olympics in 2028. McDonnell stated that cooperation among local, state, and federal law enforcement partners is essential for public safety during these events.