Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell has stated that the city needs approximately 12,500 officers to adequately police America’s second-largest city, a significant increase from the current force of 8,551. This number represents nearly 4,000 officers more than what the department has and is about 25% larger than the LAPD’s historical peak staffing of around 10,000 officers in 2013.
McDonnell noted that Los Angeles currently has 2.2 officers per 1,000 residents, while New York and Chicago have between four and four-and-a-half officers per 1,000 residents. The LAPD has been losing between 500 and 600 officers annually, with current hiring efforts insufficient to replace departing officers, let alone address the chief's stated need for expansion.
City Budget and Political Landscape
The LAPD's staffing shortage is attributed, in part, to a $150 million budget cut in 2020 amid the "defund the police" movement. Some city council members have expressed opposition to increasing police spending and hiring, with some identifying as abolitionists. Recruiters suggest that such public stances make hiring more difficult.
Mayor Karen Bass had previously set a goal of rebuilding the LAPD to 9,500 officers, but acknowledged in April that this target has been shelved due to ongoing challenges, including the department's continued shrinkage despite retention incentives and hiring efforts. This shelved goal was still 3,000 officers below Chief McDonnell's recommended staffing level.
The city's current budget for the fiscal year funds approximately 510 new officers, which is seen as just enough to offset expected departures. Projections suggest the LAPD will have around 8,555 officers by next summer, indicating little change from current numbers.
City officials have cited budget constraints as a reason for the inability to increase staffing significantly. The LAPD's direct departmental budget is about $2.1 billion, with additional costs for overtime and pensions. However, the article argues that the city's overall budget of nearly $15 billion allows for choices that could prioritize public safety.
Future Challenges and Mayoral Candidates
The staffing deficit poses a challenge for the 2028 Olympic Games, when the LAPD is expected to dedicate roughly 2,400 officers to the event while continuing to police the rest of the city. The department has reportedly considered pausing academy classes for about seven months and reassigning officers from its training division due to staffing shortages, a move that could further hinder long-term force building.
As the mayoral election approaches, voters face a choice between Mayor Bass, who has abandoned her previous officer target, and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman, who initially advocated for a smaller police force and now supports maintaining its current depleted ranks. Neither candidate is proposing a plan to reach the 12,500 officers recommended by the police chief, leading to the assertion that public safety is not being made the top priority by either campaign.