LA Police Department gets pay raises in approved labor deal.

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. This landmark deal aims to address issues of retention and ​recruitment within the department.

The council’s decision, with a 12-3 vote in favor, comes after Mayor Karen Bass and members of the Los Angeles Police Protective League already gave their approval earlier this month. The contract includes not only pay raises and bonuses but also increased healthcare benefits and patrol incentives.

“Our police‌ department, just like other major city‌ police departments, is enduring a hiring and retention crisis,” said Mayor ‍Bass in a statement following the vote. “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.”

Addressing Recruitment and Retention Challenges

The LAPD has been facing significant challenges in recruiting and retaining officers. The department’s ⁢sworn force recently⁤ dropped ⁤below 9,000 for the first time since 2002. The contract ⁣aims to combat this‍ issue by offering attractive incentives.

Under⁣ the new contract, starting pay for new recruits will see a‌ 12.6 percent increase, rising to $86,193 from the‍ current $74,020. Additionally, officers will ‍receive four raises ‍of 3 percent ⁣over the four-year period. 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 another 5 ‌percent raise in year⁤ four.

Furthermore, ⁢new officers from the Police Academy who remain with‌ the department for‌ at least three years⁣ will receive $15,000 in ⁣bonuses, while ⁢officers transferring from ​other agencies and ⁢staying for at least three years will earn $20,000 in bonuses. By 2027, the starting ⁢salary for new recruits will reach ‍$94,000.

Controversy and Support

While the contract received overwhelming support from the City​ Council, three council members voted against it. Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez, and Hugo Soto-Martinez criticized the deal as “irresponsible.” They argued that the city already allocates a significant portion of its general fund to the police department, starving other departments of necessary resources.

However, Councilwoman ‍Traci Park defended the contract, emphasizing its necessity in addressing recruitment and retention challenges. “This contract demonstrates a commitment to our police officers,” said Ms. Park. “It sends⁤ a message that Los Angeles takes public​ safety seriously and that ‍we care about the ‌men and women who work hard ‌every day to keep us safe.”

Despite the controversy, the contract’s ⁢approval marks a significant step towards strengthening the LAPD and ensuring the safety of Angelenos. The decision followed a passionate public comment session, ⁣with both ‍opposition and support voiced by ‍members of the community.

Overall, the contract ⁤represents a substantial investment in the ⁣LAPD, acknowledging the importance of attracting and retaining qualified officers to maintain⁢ public ⁤safety in Los Angeles.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases