Los Angeles Police Commission Sends Letter to City Council
Asking for Fiscal Assistance for LAPD

LOS ANGELES POLICE COMMISSION MEDIA RELEASE CONTACT: TAMRYN CATANIA (213) 485-3531

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUST 13, 2004

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LOS ANGELES POLICE COMMISSION
SENDS LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL
ASKING FOR FISCAL ASSISTANCE FOR LAPD

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To avoid potential increasing liability exposure, the members of the Police Commission request funding for promotions and backfill positions ...

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is currently under the mandates of a Federal Consent Decree which requires increased supervision and management throughout the ranks. At the same time, the LAPD is experiencing budgetary restraints as all City of Los Angeles departments are, and promotions are very limited, if granted at all.

While the members of the Police Commission clearly recognize and appreciate the Citywide budget shortfall, the Commissioners are asking City Council for consideration in appropriating $12,383,204, which would provide for severely-needed promotions and backfill positions. Merit salary step increases represent a portion of the request, $5,479,839. This amount has already been appropriated, however it resulted in the Department beginning the fiscal year with a deficit. Approval of this request would balance the LAPD budget and provide the needed supervision.

Police Commission President David S. Cunningham, III, stated, "We completely understand the City's budget shortfall, but we must ask for this appropriation. By allowing the LAPD to continue without appropriate supervision at the rank and file level, we are facing increased liability. In the long run, our request is far less costly to the City of Los Angeles than potential litigation stemming from lack of supervision."

A portion of the request, $576,820, is dedicated to promotions and pay grade advancements necessary to staff the new North Valley Division, which is tentatively scheduled to open in December, 2004. If this appropriation is not granted, the opening of the new Division will further strain limited resources throughout the entire LAPD.

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Attachment:

Letter to Los Angeles City Council

August 10, 2004

The Honorable City Council
c/o City Clerk Office
200 North Spring Street, Room 360
Los Angeles, California 90012

Dear Councilmembers:

The Board of Police Commissioners directed the Chief of Police to advise our Board of the number of promotion and pay grade advancement positions that are currently vacant and anticipated to be vacant in Fiscal Year 2004-2005. This request included the number of back fill positions that would be required when the promotion and pay grade advancements were implemented. We recognize the City's fiscal situation and your concern to ensure that the City is fiscally responsible. This however needs to be balanced with the accepted fact that the Los Angeles Police Department is significantly under staffed.

The Board of Police Commissioners is concerned that the failure to promote and advance pay grade sworn positions is having a direct impact on the good order, operation, and effectiveness of the Los Angeles Police Department. Without the necessary, required, and authorized staffing levels of management and supervision, the City is exposing itself to potentially increased liability. The positions that are vacant are having a direct impact on the level of management oversight and direct supervision of personnel. Litigation filed against the City, as a result of law enforcement related activity, often involves high monetary exposure. Most of the liability cases involve allegations of neglect by management or neglect of supervision in providing the necessary oversight.

As you are aware, there are additional responsibilities placed upon managers and supervisors by the Federal Consent Decree. The Board of Police Commissioners is committed to providing the civilian oversight of the Department to ensure compliance with the Consent Decree, and the implementation of the best practices in policing. A key component of this is the proper management and supervisory oversight of the daily operations of the Department.

The current and anticipated promotions and pay grade advancements for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 are:

The funding required to provide for the above promotions and pay grade advancements is $1,783,595.

Included in the above promotions and pay grade advancements are those that are necessary to begin operation of the North Valley Division tentatively in December, 2004. Those positions are necessary in the following quarters of Fiscal Year 2004-2005:

The funding required to provide for the above promotions and pay grade advancements is $576,820, which is included in the $1,783,595.

It is critical that these promotions and pay grade advancements are made with sufficient time to allow for the mandated training required by the Federal Consent Decree and the Department. This training will assist in preparing the promoted managers and supervisors to exercise the responsibilities of their respective positions.

Upon personnel being promoted and given pay grade advancements, it is imperative that the Department begin to back fill these positions. As you are aware, the time that is necessary to provide formal training in the Police Academy and subsequent field training program limits the ability of a new officer to function with a Field Training Officer. The funding necessary to provide the backfill is $5,119,770.

The last area of funding requested is for merit salary step increases for Fiscal Year 2004-2005. These funds were not included in the Department budget that resulted in the Department beginning the fiscal year in a budget deficit. The funds necessary to provide for merit salary step increases are $5,479,839.

To recap the funding requested for the Department to complete promotions, pay grade advancement, backfill, and merit salary step increases it is as follows:

Your consideration of our request to appropriate the necessary funds is appreciated in advance. This is a critical requirement that will ensure the Department is provided with the necessary police officers, management, and supervision resources to serve the City of Los Angeles. It will also ensure public safety, compliance with mandates of the Federal Consent Decree, and meeting the goal of making the City of Los Angeles the safest big City in America.

Very truly yours,

DAVID S. CUNNINGHAM III, President
ALAN J. SKOBIN, Vice President
RICK J. CARUSO, Commissioner
ROSE M. OCHI, Commissioner
CORINA ALARCON, Commissioner