Los Angeles, California – Facing a projected $1-billion budget shortfall, a key Los Angeles City Council committee advanced a plan Thursday that would reduce the number of police officers and cancel Mayor Karen Bass’ proposal to create a homelessness unit within the fire department.
The five-member budget committee endorsed a hiring slowdown that would lower Los Angeles Police Department staffing to about 8,400 officers by June 2026 — down from more than 8,700 this year and a significant drop from around 10,000 in 2020. If approved by the full City Council later this month, the measure would mark LAPD’s lowest sworn staffing level since 1995.
The proposed cuts would help preserve 133 civilian positions within the LAPD — forensic specialists, crime scene photographers, and lab analysts — who are essential to public safety but not sworn officers. Councilmember Tim McOsker described the choice as “difficult, painful and regrettable,” but necessary to maintain key investigative services…