LAPPL: Residents cannot afford further cuts to public safety
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Rose (805) 624-0572 or
Paul Haney (626) 755-4759
LAPPL: Residents cannot afford further cuts to public safety
LOS ANGELES, April 14, 2010 -- As the impact of cuts made to the budget begins to diminish the effectiveness of the LAPD, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) today called on elected officials to end talk of further reductions to police personnel and resources.
"Elected officials have been using the total number of officers employed by the LAPD as a smokescreen to hide from the public the severe cuts that have already been made," said LAPPL President Paul M. Weber. "The number of officers deployed has actually been drastically impacted by budget cuts. Over 200 sworn officers are being pulled off patrol and other law enforcement duties daily to fill in for civilian support personnel, whose jobs have been chopped by some 25 percent. This is the equivalent of 60 patrol cars. In addition, officers whose duties lead them to work overtime are being forced to stay home once they accrue 250 hours, as the City has chosen to reduce both patrol and detective ranks rather than pay overtime and have a fully staffed force."
The effective cuts to the LAPD budget this year include:
-- A loss of about 286 officers per deployment period (28 days) due to increased usage in forced compensatory time.
-- Projected loss of approximately 600 officers per deployment period by mid-summer.
-- Standby time reduction, which has resulted in decreased availability of SWAT, K-9, homicide detectives and other essential personnel.
-- Reduced gang, narcotic and vice units' investigation efficiencies due to the 250-hour compensatory time-off cap.
-- The likelihood of 21 community station front desk closures.
-- Reduced efficiency in civilian support functions such as crime analysis, administrative operations, jail and property responsibilities due to furlough days.
-- Impact on the operability and availability of emergency vehicles due to a lack of replacement parts.
"The LAPD is being hollowed out by these ill-advised budget cuts," Weber concluded. "Disingenuous officials, citing the total number of sworn officers to call for further reductions in police personnel and services, are not only endangering the safety of our residents - by adding to the instability and insecurity of our city, they are also endangering our chance of achieving a strong economic recovery."
About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at www.LAPD.com.
