Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell has expressed strong disapproval of a disruptive group that derailed Tuesday’s Police Commission meeting, criticizing their actions as detrimental to the accountability process designed to serve the public interest.

During the meeting, approximately 40 anti-police protesters, led by Jason Reedy, disrupted proceedings with a barrage of obscenities and slurs. Their anger also targeted a California Post reporter present at the event.

Speaking on Thursday, McDonnell condemned their behavior as “vile” and intimidating, noting that it undermines the crucial role of public oversight. He emphasized the negative impact such disruptions have on community engagement and participation.

“It’s very frustrating,” McDonnell remarked when asked by The Post about his response to the chaotic scenes, during a press conference on city crime statistics. He highlighted the “chilling effect” this kind of behavior has on community members who wish to express their opinions and concerns in a constructive environment.

“It has a chilling effect on people from the community who want to come and be heard.

‘They’re afraid to come. They’re intimidated by some of the agitators who show up every week.”

That intimidation was on full display Tuesday.

The agitators wearing medical masks and keffiyeh scarves chanted “F–k the police,” called officers “pigs,” and accused the department of murder, forcing the meeting to stop and leading to the commissioners being escorted out.

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McDonnell said what makes the situation worse is police powerless to intervene.

“We’re told by legal counsel that they’re protected by the First Amendment,” he said.

“They’re exploiting that — but at the expense of the residents of Los Angeles and the process that was designed to provide civilian oversight.”

The California Post has contacted the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office seeking clarification as to why their hands are tied — and whether their conduct crosses legal or procedural lines. They are yet to respond.

“If people from the community are fearful of coming forward because of the behavior at these meetings, we’re defeating our purpose.”

City Hall has experienced the same breakdown.

Councilmember John Lee, chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, said disruptive activists routinely derail council meetings using profanity, racial slurs, and intimidation — until the meetings are shut down.

“When disruptors create a scene so severe we have to close meetings,” he said, “business doesn’t get done.”

“They’re there to disrupt,” Lee said. “Even if they have a message, the language they use causes it to get lost. And it intimidates people who actually want to be part of the democratic process.”

Lee said supporting law enforcement must remain a core responsibility of city leaders, particularly as officers face mounting hostility at public meetings.

“If your number one priority isn’t the health and safety of your constituents, I really don’t know what is,” Lee said, adding that he will “always be a supporter” of the men and women who put on the uniform.

The remarks came during a press conference highlighting a starkly different reality for Los Angeles: violent crime is now at historic lows.

LAPD data released on Thursday shows the city recorded 230 homicides in 2025, the fewest since 1966 and a 19% drop from 2024.

The homicide rate fell to 5.9 per 100,000 residents, the lowest per capita rate since 1959.

But McDonnell made clear that despite the good news, oversight and transparency don’t survive when public forums devolve into mob rule.

“These meetings are supposed to let the community be heard,” he said. “When that doesn’t happen, everyone loses.”