Los Angeles, CA, November 14, 2008 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today honored First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell of the Los Angeles Police Department with the ADL Chief Giovanni Palatucci Courageous Leadership Award, which recognizes Italian and American law enforcement officers who have exemplified leadership in the fight against extremism, bigotry and terrorism.

The award, named for an Italian police chief who defied the Nazis and saved thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust, was presented to Chief McDonnell during the League's 2008 annual meeting in Los Angeles.

"Jim is widely recognized as an advocate for problem-oriented community policing and the effective management and leadership of public safety initiatives," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "His dedication to his profession, and to the rich multi-ethnic mosaic that is the community of Los Angeles, has been exemplary."

Chief McDonnell has served the LAPD for 27 years, holding a variety of positions throughout the department. In his present role as Chief of Staff, he is responsible for the divisions of Media, Governmental and Community Relations. He is the second-in-command to Chief William J. Bratton in the third largest police department in the United States.

In June 2006, Chief McDonnell was part of a delegation of high-ranking American law enforcement officials on a trip to Israel, where they learned counterterrorism strategies and tactics from Israeli Police. He is a graduate of ADL's Advanced Training School on Extremist and Terrorist Threats.

"Jim always steps up to the plate when asked to work with ADL," said Mr. Foxman, noting that McDonnell is a member of the Selection Committee for the ADL Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate, which recognizes individuals in law enforcement who are committed to combating extremism, bigotry and hatred, and educating to reduce hate crimes and bias activities.

The ADL Chief Giovanni Palatucci Courageous Leadership Award was named in honor of Giovanni Palatucci, an Italian hero of the highest moral convictions. As Chief of Police of Fiume, he saved the lives of more than 3,500 Jews destined for Nazi death camps by forging their documents and visas. Arrested in September 1944, Palatucci was accused of conspiracy and deported to Dachau, where he died at age 36 shortly before the camp was liberated.

The award was inaugurated in October 2007, when it was presented to David Cohen, Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police

Department, for his efforts helping New York City fight terrorism.