Los Angeles police officers have been urged by a police union leader to consider leaving the city and finding a jurisdiction that appreciates their value.
Jerretta Sandoz, Vice President of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, made the comments in a now-deleted Facebook post, as reported by the L.A. Times.
Sandoz addressed the challenges faced by police officers in Los Angeles, particularly in relation to the union's ongoing negotiations for a new salary agreement with the city. The post is believed to have been written a few weeks before the LAPD's contract with the city expired on June 30.
According to the L.A. Times, Sandoz wrote, "Go somewhere that respects the work you do and you don't have to beg for a great contract. Go somewhere that has a city council or city manager that openly acknowledges the great work you do, go somewhere that doesn't have Two or more City Council members who hate you (no exaggeration)."
The Los Angeles Police Department has been experiencing a steady decline in officer numbers, with nearly 1,000 officers leaving since 2019. It is projected that an additional 500 officers will retire or resign by the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, bringing the total number of officers down from over 10,000 to around 8,600, as reported by the L.A. Times.
The union's animosity towards the city council, poor contract negotiations, and the ban on the Thin Blue Line flag implemented by the police chief in early 2023 are contributing factors to the growing discontent among officers.
LAPD Police Chief Michael Moore expressed his disappointment with the misuse of the Thin Blue Line flag, stating that extremist groups have distorted its meaning to promote undemocratic, racist, and bigoted views.
Sandoz defended her comments, stating that they were part of a larger online discussion about officers who had already decided to leave the LAPD. She emphasized that she stands by every word she wrote to those who have chosen or are considering leaving the department for another agency.
In a subsequent email, Sandoz expressed her hope that the criteria she advised officers to consider when evaluating other agencies would also be used to determine whether they should stay with the LAPD.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has set a hiring target of 9,500 police officers to address the declining numbers. However, this goal may not be achieved if the number of graduates from the police academy remains the same. The L.A. Times reported that the last 10 police academy classes have averaged just 30 graduating officers.
The future of the LAPD's officer recruitment and retention efforts remains uncertain. The union's call for officers to seek jurisdictions that value their work reflects the growing frustration within the department. As the city grapples with these challenges, it is crucial to find solutions that address the concerns of both the police force and the community they serve.
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