The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) and Woodbury University have partnered to host a community meet and greet and town hall meeting with Los Angeles County Sheriff candidate, Jim McDonnell scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Woodbury University in Burbank, California.  The event will begin with a welcoming reception at 6:00pm at the School of Business Atrium, followed by remarks from ANCA WR and Woodbury leadership, a town hall meeting, and Q&A session with McDonnell from 6:30pm-7:30pm at the Fletcher Jones Foundation Auditorium.

“We are proud to partner with Woodbury University and provide a platform for residents and voters alike to meet the next LA County Sheriff Jim McDonnell to discuss critical issues facing the department and the county, while providing insight to the Chief on issues of importance to their communities,” stated ANCA WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan.

“Woodbury University Center for Leadership is honored to co-host with the ANC of America, Western Region to bring distinguished leaders to the community” said H. Eric Schockman, PhD, Chair Center for Leadership, Woodbury University

On September 5, 2014, ANCA WR announced its endorsement of Jim McDonnell for Los Angeles County Sheriff, calling on the community to vote for him at the ballot box on November 4^th. The announcement came after a thorough interview process, which included discussion on such topic matters as sensitivity training for employees and officers, educational and outreach programs, and the critical role of the Sheriff in building bridges and establishing a collaborative relationship with the Armenian-American community. McDonnell’s grasp of significant Armenian American issues was evident through his sincere devotion to making the Armenian American community an equal community partner of the department.

Jim McDonnell has served as Chief of Police for the city of Long Beach, the second largest city in Los Angeles County, since March, 2010.  He previously served as the second in command in the Los Angeles Police Department. McDonnell began his law enforcement career in 1981 and has served over three decades for the Los Angeles Police Department, having held every rank in the LAPD. As an expert on community policing strategies, Jim McDonnell has employed his experience collaborating with community leaders in the many diverse neighborhoods across Los Angeles County to enhance community relations and promote safe neighborhoods. McDonnell’s community policing plan was the foundation of Chief Bill Bratton’s efforts to refocus and reform the LAPD.

He was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to serve as a member of the California Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards & Training (POST) and was reappointed to serve a second term by Governor Brown. He is also Chair of the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). McDonnell works with numerous non-profit organizations that focus on furthering the interests of youth. He was appointed to the U.S. Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence and served in two U.S. Department of Justice National Executive Sessions — the National Executive Session on Law Enforcement & Public Health and the National Executive Session on Police Legitimacy and Racial Reconciliation.

Chief McDonnell finished first against seven other candidates in the Sheriff’s race during the June 2^nd Primary Elections. He is currently in the runoff against one candidate for the November 4, 2014 General Elections.

The meet and greet and town hall is free and open to the public.  For additional information, contact ANCA WR at 818.500.1918 or visit ancawr.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

###