Message from Chief Beck Regarding Compensatory Time Off Policy NR11260cb

When the city’s $6.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2011-2112 was approved, the Los Angeles Police Department was forced to cut $80 million by eliminating cash overtime pay for officers.  But the cuts don’t stop there.  The Department’s ability to make an additional $41 million in cuts rests solely on successful negotiations with the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL).  In anticipation of the expiration of the current compensatory time off (CTO) policy, which allows officers to accrue up to 400 hours of compensatory time off, the LAPD has requested an extension.

The main purpose of the request was to ensure that the primary service providers to the geographical Areas have the resources to continue to provide public service at current levels while a new agreement with the LAPPL is being negotiated.  If a temporary CTO extension is not agreed to by the LAPPL, the overtime threshold will return to 96 hours as of July 1, 2011.  
As of today, no agreement has been reached with the LAPPL.  As a result, I am obligated to make plans for changes that I do not necessarily want to make.  At this point, it is only my intention to prepare you for what lies ahead, if we are faced with the situation where forced time off must be taken at a lower threshold for our sworn personnel.  I will have no other option but to reassign personnel from specialized commands to patrol assignments, effective July 18, 2011, Deployment Period (DP) 8.

Please know that it is not my desire to reassign officers out of their current assignments, but it is the only way the Department can maintain the level of front-line resources that are essential for the protection of the public’s safety.  If I am forced to give time off at a less than 96 hour threshold, it will mean having far fewer officers available to respond to emergency calls for help.  

LAPD officers swore an oath to protect and serve those that live and work in this City.  I remain committed to fighting for the resources officer’s need to do just that, while keeping themselves and their fellow officers, safe.