Public Safety and Homeland Security
| Gang Prevention RFP |
1,000 New Cops
In 2005, when Mayor Villaraigosa took office, total deployment at LAPD was 9,181 sworn officers. Los Angeles was the most under policed big city in the nation: with a police force of approximately 9,100 officers and approximately 4 million residents, Los Angeles had just 25 police officers for every 10,000 residents. In comparison, New York and Chicago have nearly 40 police officers for every 10,000 residents. Additionally, while officers in New York and Chicago police approximately 303 and 324 square miles, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers police approximately 469 square miles. Despite these challenges, under Police Chief William Bratton's exceptional leadership, crime was falling.
Mayor Villaraigosa's first public safety priority is to add 1,000 net new officers to the LAPD. As of March, 2008 - the latest figures available – over 500 net new officers have been added to LAPD since June 30, 2005, bringing the total LAPD force to more than 9,700 for the first time since 1998. Working collaboratively with LAPD and the Personnel Department, the Mayor has hit the halfway mark on hiring and is on schedule to reach this goal.
$1,000,000 Mercury Insurance Donation
The Mayor secured a $1,000,000 donation from Mercury Insurance to launch the Los Angeles Police Officers Appointment Bonus program for this fiscal year. The program aspires to attract new and experienced recruits to reach the 1,000 net officer goal and increase the Department's sworn personnel. The $1,000,000 donation will cover the initial installment payment for 381 officers, which will account for 28% of the total recruits who are eligible for the program. Additionally, we anticipate this incentive program to increase lateral (experienced officers) recruit efforts and to decrease the academy attrition level.
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