Your LEO Nation · With Mark Garrett
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on Staffing, Trust & the 2028 Olympics
· 34 min
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Episode description
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell joins retired CHP Chief Mark Garrett to discuss police staffing, public trust, and security planning for the 2028 Olympics. In this conversation, Chief McDonnell explains how staffing and recruitment affect emergency response and community policing, what police leaders can do to support morale, and how Los Angeles is preparing for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They also discuss regional and federal partnerships, drone and cyber threats, international coordination, and why public safety is a team sport. Recorded September 2, 2026. Staffing figures and plans reflect the discussion at that time. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and Chief McDonnell's return to LAPD 01:49 LAPD staffing and calls for service 11:45 Politics, morale, recruitment and retention 19:37 Preparing Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics 23:23 Technology and counter-drone security 26:32 International coordination and major-event security 31:13 Prevention, public trust and community partnership Subscribe to Your LEO Nation for conversations about public safety, leadership, and the rule of law. Website: https://yourleonation.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourleonation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourleonationpodcast #LAPD #PublicSafety #YourLEONation