Staff Reports
In a recent interview with NBC News, interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi revealed some troubling news about the state of the Los Angeles Police Department. According to Choi, the LAPD is severely understaffed, which is causing morale to plummet and making it difficult for officers to effectively respond to calls.
Who wants to be a cop after all the leftists have done to them? It's common sense. https://t.co/fZfqsTOOCH
— 🇺🇸 Robert Spudis 🇺🇸 (@SpudisRobert) April 18, 2024
Choi expressed his frustration at the staffing shortage, stating that it is demoralizing for officers to arrest criminals only to see them walking free before reports can even be finished. He emphasized the toll this revolving door of repeat offenders is taking on morale and the effectiveness of the police force.
When asked by host Lester Holt if it was fair to say that the LAPD is severely understaffed, Choi responded with an emphatic “Absolutely.” He mentioned that the ideal staffing level would be around 12,000 officers, but as of last Monday, the department only had 8,832 officers on staff. This significant gap in staffing is undoubtedly putting a strain on the LAPD’s ability to serve and protect the community.
Choi also highlighted that the shortage of police officers has made it increasingly challenging to respond to all types of calls, not just emergency ones. While the department has managed to meet the seven-minute response time for emergency calls, the response time for non-emergency and uncoded calls has increased from about 20 minutes to as long as an hour. This delay in response time can have serious consequences for public safety and the ability to address criminal activity effectively.
The interim chief’s revelations paint a concerning picture of the state of policing in Los Angeles. With a severe staffing shortage and officers feeling demoralized by the revolving door of repeat offenders, it is clear that action needs to be taken to support the LAPD and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
