Mayor Bass Seeks $4.4 Million to Hire 410 LAPD Officers, Chief Warns of Public Safety Crisis

Mayor Karen Bass has asked the Los Angeles City Council to secure more than $4 million for the LAPD, a request that Chief Jim McDonnell says could trigger a public safety crisis if ignored.

Mayor’s Funding Request

In a letter to all 15 council members, Bass called for the allocation of $4.4 million to hire 410 officers by the end of the fiscal year in June 2026. She noted that without this money, hiring would freeze in January and the department would be left with 8,300 officers, a level not seen since 1995. “The second largest city in the United States cannot have an effective police department with 8,300 officers – levels not seen since 1995,” she wrote.

Chief McDonnell’s Warning

At a Thursday news conference, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell warned that a shortfall would mean a “public safety crisis.” He explained that if the academy does not start next month, the department would miss the chance to add dozens of new officers. “Fewer officers mean longer shifts, increased overtime, and a greater strain on all our personnel,” McDonnell said.

Current Recruitment Status

The department had authorized the hiring of 240 new recruits after Bass signed the $14 billion budget in April. The plan, approved with an agreement with Council President Marqueece Harris‑Dawson, aimed to add 170 new hires over the next six months in the run‑up to the 2026 World Cup. The Mayor’s Office confirmed that the budget already funded the 240 recruits.

Staffing Ratios

McDonnell highlighted that Los Angeles currently has two officers per 1,000 residents, compared to New York City and Chicago’s roughly four officers per 1,000. He added that without the additional $4.4 million, the number of officers and employees would drop to the lowest level in three decades, just before major events such as the 2026 Olympics.

Council Response

Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky‑Tim McOsker said Thursday, “Our job is to keep the city safe,” she added. “We also have a responsibility to keep it solvent.” She continued, “I want to grow the police department, but I have yet to see a proposal that identifies an ongoing funding source to pay for more officers. Responsible leadership means telling the truth about our finances and insisting on a real plan to pay for new commitments. I will support this proposal once a real proposal exists.”

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said, “The reality is that there are only a few essentially drained pots of money that can be tapped into mid‑year and using the reserve would have major consequences,” Blumenfield said in a statement to NBCLA. “In light of the budget shortfalls we face, every additional dollar spent on police officers will come as a sacrifice in another city service or department but we need to turn over every rock.”

Funding Gap and Deficit

Mayor Bass requested a 90‑day report to identify funding, but the deadline passed with no follow‑up on where the dollars should come from. City officials project a starting deficit of $91 million in the 2026‑27 fiscal year.

Leadership Statements

Council President Marqueece Harris‑Dawson praised the Personnel Department for breaking the hiring logjam and urged the council to secure resources so the city can “keep up with attrition and prepare for major world events.”

Next Steps

The Los Angeles Police Department Association (NBCLA) has reached out to all 15 council members and is waiting for more information. Jonathan Lloyd of NBCLA contributed to the report that outlines the current situation.

The outcome of the council’s deliberations will determine whether the LAPD can meet its hiring goals and maintain public safety ahead of the 2026 Olympics and other major events.