Los Angeles police officials and rank-and-file officers are expressing deep concerns that the election of Nithya Raman as mayor could lead to a "nightmare" scenario for public safety and the city's police force.
Raman, a socialist city councilwoman, defeated incumbent Karen Bass in the mayoral election. Law enforcement sources believe her victory may jeopardize the LAPD's already strained resources and effectiveness.
"It’s going to be a nightmare, and very, very bad for public safety," one senior officer stated, anticipating the potential impact of Raman's policies. The department is reportedly "woefully understaffed," with approximately 8,500 officers responsible for the city's 3.8 million residents.
During her 2020 campaign for city council, Raman advocated for defunding the police. She has also been critical of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, suggesting his removal and accusing the department of sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which she claims puts undocumented immigrants at risk. McDonnell has denied these accusations, asserting that the department is legally prohibited from assisting federal immigration enforcement.
Despite recent reports indicating a decrease in overall crime in Los Angeles, with officer-involved shootings down by 53% this year, officers on the ground worry that reduced funding or staffing could undermine public safety efforts. "We can barely keep things under control as-is," one officer said. "If she cuts the budget, we’ll have nothing left."
Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on the 2028 Olympics, with former Mayor Karen Bass having warned during the campaign that replacing the police chief so close to the event would be "disastrous."
Jamie McBride of the Los Angeles Police Protective League issued a stark warning, telling NBC LA that "If Nithya Raman becomes the mayor, the city needs to prepare for Armageddon." He suggested that instead of direct defunding, officers might simply leave the department, further exacerbating staffing shortages.