Expenditure of Resources for Jackson-Related Events NA09323av

Within his regular responsibility to deploy police resources, the Chief of Police can draw upon on an approved overtime budget when regular on-duty resources are depleted or at critical levels.  In the Michael Jackson-related events, existing resources in affected geographic areas were quickly reduced to minimum operating levels.

Within minutes of the arrival of emergency medical personnel at the residence of Michael Jackson, details began to spread across the City and around the globe.  Crowds began to form at several locations within the City.  These assemblies created a variety of public safety concerns, including but not limited to crowd management, emergency access, traffic flow, theft and quality of life issues.  

The most significant Citywide commitment of resources occurred between July 2 and July 8, 2009.  During this period approximately 4,173 officers were deployed at seven different locations throughout the City, including the Staples Center Area, Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, the Encino estate, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the residence on Carolwood Drive in Holmby Hills, the UCLA Medical Center and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Of the 4,173 officers deployed between July 2 and July 8, 2009, 3,240 were deployed during the period beginning at midnight on July 7, 2009.  When it became readily evident that the effort to encourage people to watch the memorial on television was successful, the number of officers deployed on "overtime" was reduced in phases, saving thousands of overtime hours.  

Based on a preliminary tally of all expenditures, approximately $1 million was used for police officer overtime.  Civilians police dispatchers accounted for $23,000 in overtime.  Approximately $103,000 were expended for incidentals, such as the rentals of crowd management fencing and meals and water for officers working fixed posts.    

In total, $1.1 million was expended over and above the regular Police Department operating costs for the same period.  Because the City has invested in expanding the Police Department, approximately 70 percent of the Michael Jackson-related events were policed by on duty resources.  This fact, combined with the hour-by-hour management of overtime expenditures, is largely responsible for the dollar figure remaining lower than first projected.