Days after the Los Angeles City Council approved a new four-year contract with the union representing LAPD rank-and-file officers, Mayor Karen Bass told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that it’s important to increase the number of officers going into the academy.
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“We need to increase the numbers of people who go through the academy and actually stay in the force,” she said. “One of the dynamics is that people go into the academy and then they get recruited to other agencies that pay more."
The new contract will increase officer pay by 20% over the course of four years, as well as raise LAPD recruits’ salaries by 12.6%.
“So I think it's going to make us more competitive,” Bass remarked.
She also weighed in on the 12-3 vote on the contract. The no votes came from council members Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, and Nithya Raman.
“Well, you know, I understand that some of my colleagues have a difference of opinion and I respect that,” she said. “But what's most important is, is that it was 12 members who voted yes.”
As for whether Bass believes she will reach her goal of reaching 9,504 sworn officers by June 30, 2024, she remains optimistic.
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“We need to increase the numbers of people who go through the academy and actually stay in the force,” she said. “One of the dynamics is that people go into the academy and then they get recruited to other agencies that pay more.
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