LA City Council Approves Hiring of Hundreds of New LAPD Officers

After months of budget negotiations, the Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to hire hundreds of new police officers—an issue closely tied to public safety, economic recovery, and the operation of commercial properties across Los Angeles.

What You Need to Know

The City Council approved funding for up to 410 new LAPD officers, reversing an earlier decision that limited hiring to 240 positions.

Additional Details:

• The vote followed months of disagreement over long-term costs, with some Councilmembers raising concerns about how ongoing salaries and benefits will be funded.
• City officials stated the hires will be paid for through existing LAPD budget resources, including overtime savings tied to retirements—not through the City’s general fund.
• Los Angeles currently has about 8,700 officers serving more than 4 million residents across 468 square miles—roughly two officers per 1,000 residents, among the lowest staffing levels in years.
• The decision comes as Los Angeles prepares to host major global events, including the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, which are expected to bring millions of visitors to the city.

How It Impacts You

For commercial real estate professionals, public safety staffing levels directly affect building operations, tenant confidence, and the overall health of commercial districts.

Improved visibility and response times: Additional officers could help address ongoing issues impacting commercial properties, including retail theft, vandalism, copper theft, and safety concerns near transit and office corridors.

Support for return-to-office efforts: Tenants consistently cite safety as a key factor in decisions about office utilization. Increased LAPD staffing may help stabilize perceptions of downtown and neighborhood business districts.

Event-driven security pressure: With global events on the horizon, demand for police resources will increase. Ensuring baseline staffing now may reduce strain on private security, property teams, and building operations later.

Budget tradeoffs still matter: While the City has approved these hires, concerns about long-term funding remain. How Los Angeles plans to balance their budget with proposed tax increases—such as parking and vacancy taxes—will continue to be watched by our Government Affairs Committee. Send the LA City Council an opposition letter here.

Stay Connected

BOMA/GLA will continue monitoring City budget decisions and public safety investments, advocating for policies that support safe, functional commercial districts without placing additional financial burdens on property owners, managers, and tenants.

Stay tuned to BOMA on the Frontline for more news impacting members. Please also register for our upcoming Security and Emergency Preparedness Policy Briefing where LAPD will talk crime trends and be able to answer any of your related concerns.