Answer the following six questions on policing issues to see which candidates for mayor most closely match the future you want to see for Los Angeles. Learn more about the history and what’s going on now: Policing Los Angeles: The Forces At Work And The Scope Of Their Power.
Question 1 of 6
The Los Angeles Police Department currently has fewer than 9,400 sworn officers but is authorized to have about 9,700. As mayor, what would you do?
Candidates who agree with you
Increase sworn officers to the authorized limit
Push to authorize even more officers
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The LAPD is the smallest big city police force per capita in the US and that must change. I will add 1,500 officers to our force before the end of his first term. My administration will apply for every federal and state grant there is and even demand more direct funding from the Biden administration and Governor Newsom to expand and strengthen our police force and ensure they are trained properly and engaged with the communities they serve.
Reduce, or keep it at the current level
No candidates selected this answer
Editor’s note: The total cost associated with the LAPD, according to the most recent city budget, is nearly $3.2 billion, which includes $597 million for pensions, $367 million for benefits, and other expenses. The $1.9 billion represents the operational costs that a mayor has the most discretion to adjust.
Question 2 of 6
The current LAPD operating budget of $1.9 billion represents about 16% of the overall city budget. Should LAPD funding stay the same, increase or decrease?
Candidates who agree with you
Stay the same
Increase
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I will restore the LAPD’s budget and expand the number of patrol officers with more hiring, civilianization of non-essential sworn positions, and a commitment to more training and diversified recruitment.
Decrease
No candidates selected this answer
Question 3 of 6
What do you think is the most important and impactful step the city can take as part of a strategy to ensure that officers responding to a 911 call can recognize a mental health crisis and avoid using lethal force?
Candidates who agree with you
Expand the number of available Mental Evaluation Units (there are currently only 10-12), which pair a mental health clinician with an armed officer
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I will immediately increase co-response and alternative response teams that include mental health, homeless outreach and other specialists who can respond to people in distress, freeing officers to focus on crime.
Increase mental health crisis response training for officers
No candidates selected this answer
Improve training for dispatchers so they can funnel calls to 988, the new mental health crisis line
No candidates selected this answer
No response / no position
Rick Caruso
Question 4 of 6
Would you be willing to meet with groups that have been sharply critical of the police, such as Black Lives Matter and Reform L.A. Jails?
Candidates who agree with you
Yes
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I am willing to meet with anyone and listen to their concerns and solutions.
No
No candidates selected this answer
Question 5 of 6
District Attorney George Gascón came to office on a progressive agenda that includes fewer prosecutions for low-level crimes. What statement best reflects your opinion of his agenda?
Candidates who agree with you
Broadly aligns with my beliefs
No candidates selected this answer
I disagree with some of his agenda
I disagree with most of his agenda
No candidates selected this answer
I disagree with most of his agenda and think he should have been recalled from office
No candidates selected this answer
No response / no position
Rick Caruso
Question 6 of 6
What do you think is the most important and impactful step the city can take as part of a strategy to repair the frayed relationships between the LAPD and many of the communities it serves?
Candidates who agree with you
Increase funding for community-based policing
No candidates selected this answer
Increase officer training in de-escalation techniques
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Accountability starts at the top. I will be a hands-on Mayor who looks for leaders who embrace accountability, are committed to preventing and reducing crime, and increasing mutual trust between officers and communities. I will lay out clear goals and expectations for the Police Chief and Police Commission – and I will expect them to meet those goals. As Mayor, I will invest in Senior Lead Officers and proven programs like the Community Safety Partnership to build trust between officers and the communities they serve – and I will double down on investments in crime prevention programs that address the root causes of crime.
Replace the current police chief
No candidates selected this answer
No response / no position
Rick Caruso
