The Los Angeles City Council has taken steps to address ongoing challenges in recruiting sworn officers by calling for a report on police department hiring statistics. The report will evaluate the effectiveness of current incentives aimed at attracting candidates and will be presented biweekly to the Personnel, Audits, and Hiring Committee. The city administrative officer will also provide monthly reports on hiring statistics for the largest law enforcement agencies in the state and L.A. County.
Councilman Tim McOsker emphasized the importance of hiring and retaining sufficient police officers to address public safety issues. The City Council had previously considered having the LAPD handle the hiring process for sworn officers instead of the Personnel Department. New labor contracts with the Los Angeles Police Protective League in 2023 increased starting salaries and added retention incentives.
With the city set to host major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, efforts are being made to ensure the LAPD has adequate manpower for security. As of July 23, the LAPD has 8,808 sworn personnel. Despite the ongoing challenges in recruiting, there has been an increase in applications for police officer positions, with LAPD receiving over 1,200 applications in January, a two-year high. LAPD has also seen increases in the number of qualification exams administered and candidates participating in the candidate assistance program.
Overall, the City Council’s actions aim to address recruitment challenges and ensure that the LAPD has the necessary personnel to fulfill their public safety responsibilities.
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