LA approves police pay raises amidst officer shortages.
Los Angeles City Council Approves Contract with LAPD Union
The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously approved a four-year contract with the union representing Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers, detectives, and lieutenants. The contract aims to address issues of retention and recruitment by offering a series of bonuses and pay raises.
The deal, which also includes increased healthcare benefits and patrol incentives, received support from Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles Police Protective League earlier this month. However, it required approval from the council before it could be finalized.
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“Our police department, just like other major city police departments, is enduring a hiring and retention crisis,” stated Mayor Bass. “I want to thank the leaders of the City Council for supporting this action and I look forward to working together to ensure that Angelenos are safe.”
According to Mayor Bass’s office, the police department is expected to lose hundreds more officers in the coming year due to retirements and resignations. The department has already lost over 430 officers in their first year and a half of duty since 2017, with many joining other agencies before completing 10 years of service.
The contract, with a cumulative cost of $994 million, includes a starting pay increase for new recruits, as well as four raises of 3 percent over the four years. Retention bonuses combined with scheduled pay increases will result in a 6 percent raise in year one, a 4 percent raise in year two, a 5 percent raise in year three, and a 5 percent raise in year four.
New officers who remain with the police department for at least three years will earn $15,000 in bonuses, while officers who transfer from other agencies and stay for at least three years will earn $20,000 in bonuses. By 2027, the starting salary for new recruits will reach $94,000.
While the contract received overwhelming support from the council, Councilors Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez, and Hugo Soto-Martinez voted against it, calling the deal “irresponsible.” Ms. Hernandez expressed concerns about the allocation of city funds to the police department, stating that it starves other departments of necessary resources.
Councilwoman Traci Park, on the other hand, emphasized the contract’s importance in addressing recruitment and retention issues. She stated, ”This contract demonstrates a commitment to our police officers. That’s long overdue, and it sends a message that Los Angeles takes public safety seriously.”
While acknowledging the significant cost of the contract, Councilman Bob Blumenfield highlighted its necessity and the positive impact it will have on the recruitment and retention of officers. The issue sparked a lively public comment session, with some opposing the contract and others advocating for increased officer salaries.
Prior to the full council vote, the Personnel, Audits, and Hiring Committee supported the deal in a 2–1 vote. Councilman Soto-Martinez, who sits on the committee, expressed concerns about the amount of bonuses and the contract’s impact on the city’s budget.
As the contract moves forward, the city aims to address the ongoing challenges of recruitment and retention within the LAPD, ensuring the safety and well-being of Angelenos.
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