LA Mayor Candidate Nithya Raman Plans to Fire Police Chief If Elected

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman said she will fire Chief Jim McDonnell of the Los Angeles Police Department if she wins the election. She stated that the city needs a leader who can deliver safety outcomes for every resident. Raman noted that the current chief has declined to share neighborhood-level safety information for a long period. She also pointed out that a report on officer-involved shootings has not yet been issued.

Raman expressed concern about the impact of federal immigration enforcement on local relations. She said the city is seeing raids and incidents that create fear on the streets. Her priority is to find a chief who can build trust with the immigrant community. She highlighted the endorsement of former LAPD Chief Bernard Parks as a signal of her public safety approach.

When asked about the timing of a replacement, Raman said the process would take time. She explained that the selection requires a search and partnership with the police commission and city council. She argued that the decision is too important to rush or set an arbitrary timeline before consulting key stakeholders. The campaign has not yet named a specific candidate for the role.

Raman responded to the decision by businessman Rick Caruso to vote for incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. She praised Caruso for his work helping the Palisades recover. She said she looks forward to working with him if she is elected mayor. Her campaign also filed an ethics violation against the super PAC Thrive LA. This followed the group's posting of signs directing voters to call a number to hear an AI-generated voice of Raman.

The national chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is considering rescinding its endorsement of Raman. They believe she has not been strong enough against Israel. Raman said the local chapter endorsed her and she remains grateful for their support. She described the internal debate as political theater that is not the main concern for voters in Los Angeles.

Raman addressed the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. She said she still has concerns about the financial agreement approved by the previous administration. She argued that the deal put taxpayers on the hook for potential cost overruns. She stated that she would hold the LA28 organization accountable as mayor to prevent further financial risks for the city.

One key reason Raman wants McDonnell removed is her claim that the LAPD shares information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said this includes data from fingerprint databases and Flock cameras. Mayor Karen Bass responded to this claim on Monday. Bass said the information sharing does not happen.