Los Angeles is in a tight spot as the city gears up for the World Cup in 2026 and the 2028 Olympics. City Hall and the police department are locked in a heated debate over how much money to spend on hiring enough officers to keep residents and visitors safe.
Chief Jim McDonnell told the Los Angeles City Council on Friday that the LAPD is looking to add 170 more officers—bringing the new‑hire total to 410—to prepare for the upcoming global events. He stressed that this isn’t a hypothetical scenario; the need is real and urgent. “If you knew what I know about the threats ahead, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” McDonnell said.
McDonnell warned that the department is “bleeding out” employees, and that Los Angeles simply doesn’t have enough cops to maintain public safety. Currently, the 410 figure only reflects new hires; in total, the LAPD is about 1,400 sworn officers short across the city. Even in the best‑case scenario, the department is still losing ground.
The numbers are stark: more than 550 officers are expected to leave over the next year due to retirements and attrition, including roughly 94 retirements scheduled as early as January. On Friday, City Hall was scrambling to decide whether to approve emergency funding that would keep the police academy classes moving, or to hold off while the council debated long‑term budget implications.
The current budget caps hiring at 240 new officers—a number police leaders have called a “low‑ball” figure that essentially cuts staffing. “We’re watching LAPD struggle to balance everyday needs with concurrent emergencies,” said Councilwoman Traci Park of the Westside, which includes Pacific Palisades. “From the fires in January, to civil unrest, to ongoing major events—they’re spread way too thin.” She added that in 2022 the department hired 433 officers, 396 in 2023, and 390 last year, proving that 240 will not be enough.
Councilmember Jon Lee, who introduced the amendment to fund continued hiring, framed the vote as a public‑safety check. “If we’re serious about stabilizing staffing, we have to do more than talk,” he asserted. “We must fund this.” Lee cautioned that ongoing uncertainty could drive recruits away—a concern echoed by McDonnell.
What was approved on Friday is essentially a month‑to‑month approach while City Hall searches for long‑term funding. This compromise leaves the LAPD in limbo. “How would you run any business month to month?” McDonnell asked. “It’s like running a marathon and at every mile asking for more air. It doesn’t make sense.” He added, “People time out. They move on to other departments. We’re bleeding out while we should be building.”
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