Newport police chief honored

Prestigious award from statewide association goes to McDonell, group’s 2002 president.Newport Beach Police Chief Bob McDonell received a prestigious law enforcement award from the California Police Chiefs Assn. at the group’s annual conference held Feb. 2 in Palm Springs.

McDonell, who has served as Newport’s police chief for nearly 12 years, was named this year’s recipient of the Joe Molloy award by the out-going association president.

“It’s a delightful award,” McDonell said.

The award is named after Molloy, a 31-year law enforcement veteran, who served as chief of police for both the city of Alhambra and Anaheim. Molloy died unexpectedly in his office in 1993; his colleagues established the memorial award in his honor in 1994.

The Molloy award is considered the highest honor among California police chiefs, Bill Brown, former president of the association, said.

McDonell, who served as president of the chief’s association in 2002, said he was surprised to receive the award. McDonell said there are so many things he’s been involved in with the association and it’s difficult to single out one accomplishment.

“Every president of the association is faced with enormous obstacles in terms of legislative issues, the funding issues,” McDonell said.

When local revenue from vehicle licensing fees were in jeopardy several years ago, McDonell said he made frequent trips to Sacramento to discuss the issue with then-Gov. Gray Davis.

Working on a statewide safety belt task force was also a memorable accomplishment, McDonell said.

“We’ve driven the voluntary compliance rate in California to 90% and saved a lot of lives,” McDonell said.

Newport Beach Mayor Don Webb said that McDonell has also been active in the Orange County Police Chiefs and Sheriff Assn., working to integrate communication and data sharing among departments.

“He’s a great police chief,” Webb said.

In his years working with the city, Webb said he’s been through four police chiefs and McDonell is the best he’s seen.