LAPD Union Official Vows to 'Fight' Against City's $250-Million Budget Cut Proposal

4 年前

An official with the Los Angeles Police Department’s union said on Thursday, June 4, that the union will go to its “grave fighting” against a proposal that could cut millions from the LAPD’s budget, local media reported.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Wednesday that he would not increase the LAPD’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year and planned to consider cuts, according to local media. Reports said Garcetti was expected to ask city officials to reallocate $250 million from a variety of departments, including the LAPD.

Garcetti said the money would go toward supporting health and education within black communities, though specifics were not provided, local media reported. The proposed cuts come during nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, sparked by the police-involved death of George Floyd.

The LAPD had proposed “a nearly $1.86 billion budget” for the upcoming fiscal year, an increase of “about $122 million,” reports said.

This video shows Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez speaking with officers and officials at LAPD’s Operations-Valley Bureau in Panorama, California.

Jerretta Sandoz, vice president of the LAPD’s union, says to Rodriguez in this video that the cuts were “not right” and vowed to “fight” against them.

“You bowed down to Black Lives Matter. These police officers, they’re out here protecting the city. They’re protecting it from being on fire. If it wasn’t for them, this city would be burned down right now.” Sandoz said, followed by applause from the officers. Credit: Shawna Stevenson via Storyful