L.A. Police Union Chief Urges Officers to Seek Appreciation Elsewhere.

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OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
2:10 PM – Monday, July 17, 2023

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The Vice President⁢ of⁤ the Los Angeles Police‌ Protective League ⁢tells officers to go ​somewhere they’re ⁢appreciated. 

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The comment came from Jerretta Sandoz ⁢in a Facebook​ thread last month​ that was recently reviewed by the Los ⁣Angeles Times. It‍ has since been deleted, ⁣but the outlet reported that ‌Sandoz instructed ⁣officers who were‍ leaving the department to find jobs in ​cities ‍where they’re appreciated.

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“Go somewhere that respects ⁣the ‌work​ you do‍ and ‍you ⁢don’t have to beg for a great contract,” Sandoz wrote. ⁣“Go somewhere that has a city ⁣council or ‍city manager that ⁢openly​ acknowledges the‍ great work you do, go ⁢somewhere‍ that doesn’t⁣ have Two‍ or more City Council members who hate you.”

In​ a follow up⁢ with the Times, ​Sandoz clarified‌ her comments came⁢ in‍ response to a thread⁢ where officers stated they were already ⁣leaving⁢ the department. Nevertheless, ⁤Sandoz assured ⁤she stood by every word. 

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During an interview with KTLA back in May, Sandoz said the LAPD cannot retain​ or recruit ⁤officers. 

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“Other agencies ​that offer⁣ higher incentives and better working conditions ‍that’s⁢ where officers are ‍fleeing ‌to,‍ and⁢ it’s⁢ sad,” Sandoz​ said.  

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The⁣ LAPPL’s ‍contract with the⁣ city ⁢expired on June 30^th and negotiators ‌have continued to push for ⁣salary increases, but the department⁣ is ‌losing more officers ‍than it can ⁢recruit. The LAPD has⁢ roughly 1,000 ⁣less ⁤officers ⁣than it did⁣ in 2019.

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Chief⁢ Michel Moore has previously said efforts to increase recruitment include improving ⁣marketing strategies, making‌ sure they have ⁣the right incentives, and to​ improve​ the time ⁢it ​takes to process applicants.​ He also pointed out how “there is⁤ a scarcity of qualified applicants across America​ for policing.

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Officials also ‌recently told the‌ Times that they’re making progress ‍toward reaching a tentative agreement, one which will supposedly make recruiting new officers more competitive ⁢and‍ keep ⁤those who are thinking of fleeing.

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Police ‍departments across the nation have ‍come ‌under ‍intense scrutiny⁢ since the 2020 ‌death of George Floyd, followed by nationwide ⁢calls to defund the police. 

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Several officers ‌from the LAPD and the Police‍ Union also ⁢recently⁤ filed a lawsuit​ against the ⁤owner of a website who‍ posted bounties or the ⁣killing of thousands ​of officers, after the department⁢ mistakenly released their personal information online.

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Meanwhile in the wake of a hiring ‍crisis, ⁤the⁤ department’s recent recruiting process has ⁢raised concern.​ Sources familiar with the ⁣matter told KTTV‌ news the outlet​ has‍ lowered⁣ its standards.

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“They’re ‍not waiting for the best ⁤possible⁣ candidate to come by. Almost feels like ‍they‌ don’t ​have that time to do it. They want to⁤ meet ​the numbers ⁤now… The⁣ physical ⁢fitness qualifiers, ⁣you’re supposed ‍to have at ⁣least 50% to get into the academy.⁣ We’re now hiring people ​with ‍40,⁢ 30, and in⁢ some cases lower than ⁤10% physical ‍scores.”

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Despite a shortage of officers the department continues ‍to ⁣tout data⁢ showing the⁢ city has ‌seen a moderate ​drop in ​crime, such⁣ as violent crime,⁢ homicides, and hate crimes,​ which ⁢have all dropped ⁤in ⁤2023 compared to the ‌same time last​ year. 

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