Think Twice on Police Budget Cuts : Trim redundancies, not needed improvements

In anticipation of a heavy deficit, Mayor Riordan is challenging all city departments, including the beleaguered Los Angeles Police Department, to identify 6% in efficiencies--cost savings--for next year’s budget. This target is not written in stone, however, and simply gets the annual budget debate off to an early start.

Perhaps a thoughtful analysis of the LAPD could determine how to make the department run more efficiently and achieve some cost savings. But in this time of crisis in its image, the LAPD cannot afford to take a big hit.

The mayor and many members of the City Council understand the situation, so the police aren’t likely to suffer deep cuts. However, the department cannot be ignored during the budget process because the force and its operations consume more than 25% of the city’s $3.9-billion budget. And the city’s budget shortfall is projected to top $200 million. That money must come from somewhere.

Fortunately, Chief Willie Williams’ department can count on plenty of new funding from outside sources. The Clinton Administration has promised $48 million in crime-bill funding for new officers. That is a welcome infusion from Washington, although the outlay requires a partial local match. Riordan fought hard for the crime bill. He also used private channels to raise $15 million to finance new technology for the department. That combination of new funds may allow the department to trim its budget strategically. Trim expense accounts and redundancies, don’t trim community policing, improvements to the crime lab or implementation of the Christopher Commission reforms.

The LAPD’s reputation was tarnished during the O. J. Simpson trial when former detective Mark Fuhrman’s troubling racist and sexist statements were made public. Bad cops who use excessive force, slurs and lies can be exposed more quickly if the department fully implements the Christopher Commission reforms without delay.

The trial also raised doubts about the department’s crime labs. That criticism has prompted the Police Commission to instruct Chief Williams to look again at a proposal to merge the county and city police labs. Rejected a year ago, the suggestion may have greater merit in this climate if the county lab can handle the increased demand with the county in fiscal crisis too.

The public is also justifiably concerned about gang violence in the wake of recent drive-by shootings and the shrinking number of officers on patrol. Expansion of the force would help. But in these troubled times, the LAPD must figure out how to hang on to its new recruits. Many are leaving for suburban departments where the pay is better and veteran cops are opting for early retirement. The LAPD can’t expect a high retention rate if the department cannot afford to pay competitive salaries.

Riordan deserves credit for tackling the budget problem early, unlike a majority of the county supervisors who waited until their backs were against the wall to take strong action. But the LAPD should be spared as much as possible.