Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, left, inspects a recruit class during graduation ceremonies last year at the Police Academy in Elysian Park for 42 LAPD officers, four Los Angeles World Airports officers and one Los Angeles Port Police officer. (Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton signaled today that he might not prevail in his fight against a proposal to stop hiring new police officers because of the city's budget crisis.

The LAPD, which has added about 800 officers over the last three years, has been hiring only enough new officers to replace those who resign or retire. Bratton said that although he opposes efforts to scale back new hiring, the enormity of the city's financial woes may cause the LAPD to retrench.

"The reality is, the city budget crisis is probably going to result in fewer officers, either by furloughs or attrition," Bratton said during the last of his monthly news briefings before he resigns Oct. 31 to join an international security firm.

The city's political leaders hope to eliminate a $405-million budget shortfall, in part, by securing financial concessions from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the police officers' union. Police officials, speaking for Bratton, have recommended furloughs if not enough money is found during those negotiations.