When it comes to public safety, size matters—which makes it a problem that the Los Angeles Police Department is notably smaller than police forces of other large American cities. According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, the department currently employs 9,440 officers, including recruits. Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States, with a population of nearly 4 million, making for a ratio of 23.6 officers per 10,000 residents—significantly lower than New York, the nation’s largest city, with its ratio of 45 officers per 10,000 residents, and Chicago (third-largest), at 40 per 10,000. Violent crime in L.A. is near its highest point in a decade, creating problems for a city looking to host major events like the 2028 Olympics and potential World Cup matches in 2026.
As Los Angelinos prepare to vote for a new mayor in primary elections this June and in the general election this November, LAPD hiring has become a top policy question among the frontrunners, all Democrats of varying shades of wokeness. Congresswoman Karen Bass and current city attorney Mike Feuer—engaged in a competition for the liberal and progressive vote—have taken minor steps to pivot away from the more radical party base by indicating that they would hire 200 and 500 more police officers, respectively. Councilman Kevin de León, meantime, has held firm, pledging that he will not increase LAPD staffing.
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