Under the proposed deal, officers would receive a 6% raise in the first year, followed by a 4% raise in the second year, and 5% raises in both the third and fourth years. Additionally, there would be improved healthcare benefits and patrol incentives. The agreement has already been approved by Mayor Karen Bass and received the support of a nearly 2-to-1 majority of Los Angeles Police Protective League members.
However, three council members, Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez, and Hugo Soto-Martinez, along with a coalition of community advocates, are expected to oppose the contract and have scheduled a news conference at City Hall prior to the council’s vote.
Before the vote takes place, the council’s Personnel, Audits, and Hiring Committee will meet to discuss the proposal and potentially make a recommendation.
It’s important to note that the labor agreement must receive approval from the council before it can be finalized. The LAPPL’s Board of Directors expressed their satisfaction with the contract, stating that it focuses on providing raises to retain current officers and attract qualified candidates to join the police academy.
According to a report from the chief administrative officer, the contract could cost taxpayers approximately $384 million over the next four years. However, L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia’s office estimates that the actual cost to taxpayers will be approximately $994 million over the duration of the contract.
The starting pay for new recruits would see a 12.6% increase from the current salary, rising to $86,193. New officers who stay with the LAPD for at least three years would also receive bonuses, with academy graduates earning $15,000 and officers transferring from other agencies receiving $20,000.
The mayor’s office has reported a decline of over 1,000 officers in LAPD staffing since the beginning of 2020. The department is expected to lose even more officers due to retirements and resignations in the coming year.
The department has faced recruitment challenges, with over 430 officers leaving within the first year and a half of duty since 2017. Additionally, a significant number of officers leave for other agencies before completing 10 years of service.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore addressed the Police Commission’s concerns about recruitment issues and their impact on the department’s ability to address crime. He acknowledged that the reduction in officer numbers has limited the department’s response to calls for service and affected public engagement.
Criticism of the proposed labor agreement has come from Melina Abdullah, leader of the Los Angeles Chapter of Black Lives Matter. Abdullah believes the deal ignores the LAPD’s history of discriminatory policing. She argues that resources should instead be invested in housing and afterschool programs.
Ahead of the Police Commission meeting, Abdullah, along with the Stop the LAPD Spying Coalition and Los Angeles Community Action Network, held a news conference condemning the recent rise in LAPD shootings and the alleged complicity of city officials.
Abdullah expressed her perception of the LAPD, highlighting issues such as racial bias, misogyny within the department, alcohol abuse, mishandling of equipment, and a lack of transparency. She believes these issues contribute to the department’s difficulty in recruiting new officers.
Chief Moore informed commissioners that there have been 19 police shootings so far this year, compared to 25 in the previous year. The number of fatal police shootings currently stands at 10, down from 11 in 2022. He also reported a 7.9% reduction in violent crime, with a 24% decrease in homicides compared to last year.
Property crime has increased by 1%, while personal thefts, primarily involving retailers like Target, Nordstrom, and Warehouse Shoe stores, have risen by 20%.
Chief Moore emphasized the importance of the multi-year contract proposal, stating that it would help attract new recruits and retain a professional workforce if approved by the City Council.
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