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≡ LAPD’s 2028 SECURITY COSTS ≡
The Los Angeles City Council is in the midst of reviewing the proposed $14.8 billion budget submitted by Mayor Karen Bass and the Budget and Finance Committee held hearing this week to work through 181 department memoranda on many of the specifics.
One of those was a nine-page explanation of the L.A. Police Department’s staffing plan and costs projected for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, modeled by the department’s “Major Events Group” (MEG). In short:
“Based on current staffing plans, MEG projects approximately $1.15 billion in police personnel costs across the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Games) operational period.
“Two figures should drive the understanding of that number:
“1. The Department can self-supply only about one-third of peak Games staffing demand. The remaining two-thirds must be filled by outside law enforcement at premium rates, which is the single largest driver of the total cost.
“2. Overtime and overtime-equivalent labor account for approximately $457.5 million, or roughly 40 percent of the total LAPD cost. Of that, $156.2 million is direct LAPD overtime and $301.3 million is outside law enforcement labor priced at the same overtime shift rate.”
The memo breaks down the costs into three parts:
● $732.2 million for direct deployment of LAPD and outside law enforcement for “Games Operations”
● $290.4 million for “Citywide Critical Core Policing”
● $128.7 million for “Other LAPD Critical Support Operations”
So, based on the memo, the actual police deployment for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the $732.2 million item. The memo is clear, however, that this is not an all-inclusive cost:
“This estimate covers LAPD personnel and supporting outside labor costs only. It includes regular salary, overtime, and the labor, lodging, and per diem costs of outside law enforcement personnel required to fill the LAPD staffing gap. It does not include equipment, vehicles, technology, infrastructure, training, and planning above the current baseline.”
These cost estimates are based on a 66-day service program in 2028, essentially:
● 19 days of 5,366 officers: 24 June to 13 July for pre-Olympics
● 17 days of 6,703 officers: 14 July to 30 July for Olympic Games
● 15 days of 3,903 officers: 31 July to 14 August for switch-over
● 13 days of 4,324 officers: 15 August to 27 August for Paralympic Games
● 2 days of 3,903 officers: 28 and 29 August for close-down
The memo notes that the LAPD can supply 2,245 of the 6,703 personnel required at peak, of 33.5% during the Olympic Games. So, “The need to bring in outside law enforcement support is the single largest accelerator of Domain 1 Games Operations costs.”
Of the projected $732.2 million “Games Operations” cost, $378.2 million is estimated for the LAPD and another $354.0 million for outside officers brought in to support.
In budget testimony last week, LAPD Captain Shannon White explained that the cost projections are for the LAPD’s scope of responsibility for the Games, which is for activities inside the City of Los Angeles only. There are a host of venues and sites beyond the City borders which will require police support from other jurisdictions.
Budget & Finance Committee Chair Katy Yaroslavsky noted late Thursday:
“From at least my perspective, it was surprising to hear the Chief last week talk about how you all are going to be doing the primary security inside the event spaces and perimeters, which runs counter to what I had previously understood the Federal Government would be handling, and so I think we need to figure out internally what we’re asking LAPD to do, quickly.
“And I agree with you that time is of the essence here.”
There was a separate budget request for 407 vehicles related to Games security operations for $42.442 million, including 300 patrol cars, 28 logistics-support vehicles and 11 vehicles for temporary sub-station use. There was no action on this item for now, but the LAPD indicated that a decision will be needed in the coming months because of the time needed for the installation of upgrades, especially for patrol vehicles.
The budget review continues and must be completed and passed by the end of May. The 2028 staffing memo does not impact the current – 2026-27 budget – but will be part of the 2027-28 budget cycle.
The City Council is continuing its discussions with the LA28 organizers, who have indicated they are not expecting to pay for the cost of security – by the LAPD or others – inside the venues and are looking for Federal support.
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