But I expected, like others, that Bass would make a symbolic choice with one of the other two finalists — former LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos and current Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides — giving the department either its first Latino or first female chief.

McDonnell’s selection ends an eight-month search after former chief Michel Moore retired from LAPD in February. He once served as Long Beach’s chief.

Ahead of the news conference, there were several news reports and speculation she would be announcing the appointment. In early September, Bass told the Los Angeles Times she intended to make a decision on the hire by the end of the month,