The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 23, will consider approving a four-year contract with the union representing Los Angeles Police Department officers, detectives and lieutenants, intended to address issues of retention and recruitment.
The council will decide whether to approve a deal that includes a 6% raise in year one, a 4% raise in year two, a 5% raise in year three and 5% raise in year four, as well as increased health care benefits and patrol incentives. The agreement was approved by Mayor Karen Bass and by a nearly 2-1 majority of Los Angeles Police Protective League members earlier this month.
Prior to Wednesday’s vote, the council’s three-member Personnel, Audits and Hiring Committee will convene for a special session to discuss the proposal and possibly send a recommendation forward.
The labor agreement needs approval by the council before it can be finalized.
“… Our members ratified a four-year contract that is focused on providing raises to retain our current officers and recruit qualified candidates to enter the police academy,” the LAPPL’s Board of Directors said in a statement.
The deal could cost taxpayers approximately $384 million over the next four years, starting with $123 million this fiscal year, according to a report from the city administrative officer.
Starting pay for a new recruit would begin at $86,193, a 12.6% increase from the current starting salary at $74,020. New officers from the Police Academy who remain with the LAPD for at least three years would earn $15,000 in bonuses, while officers who transfer to the department from other agencies and stay for at least three years would earn $20,000 in bonuses.
According to the mayor’s office, LAPD staffing has declined by more than 1,000 officers since the beginning of 2020, and the agency is expected to lose hundreds more in the coming year due to retirements and resignations.
Since 2017, the department has lost more than 430 officers in their first…
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