Police Commission Makes Plea to Expand Its Staff

The Police Commission’s staff is overburdened and in immediate need of at least six new positions to carry out the panel’s job of overseeing the Los Angeles Police Department, a member of the commission told a special City Council committee on Wednesday.

“These new staff members will help us get our heads above water,” Police Commissioner Jesse Brewer said during a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee that is reviewing recommendations for overhauling the 8,300-member department. “We feel this is critical to us right now.”

Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Marvin Braude said the request, which has already been approved by the city administrative officer and the chairman of the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, would be considered by the full City Council on Friday.

Specifically, the commission is seeking an exemption from the city’s hiring freeze for three management analysts, a personnel analyst and two clerk-typists, according to a report prepared by the city administrative officer.

“Sufficient savings are available in the Police Department’s general salary account to finance these positions for the balance of the fiscal year,” the CAO report said. The report did not say what the positions would cost.

The five-member commission currently relies on a commanding officer, an executive officer and two analysts--a staff that the Christopher Commission determined is inadequate.