LMPD officer staffing shortage
Summary
LMPD is about 132 sworn officers short of its staffing study's target of 1,137, and overtime has totaled roughly $66 million over three years. Council members questioned the FOP contract's overtime calculation, officer fatigue, and whether budgeted salary money keeps going unspent.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 5, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $22 million a year in overtime; $121 million proposed for salaries in FY27.
Residents benefit from patrol coverage and falling crime rates.
Officers working 80-hour weeks face fatigue; taxpayers fund premium overtime.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Public Safety Committee — August 5, 2026
LMPD is at 1,013 sworn officers — roughly 115 short of the staffing study's recommendation of 1,136 and more than 200 below historical levels. Suburban districts say they feel under-patrolled, and officials discussed recruiting, technology like drones and license plate readers, and how the study would shift officers between divisions.
Budget Committee — May 20, 2026
LMPD is about 132 sworn officers short of its staffing study's target of 1,137, and overtime has totaled roughly $66 million over three years. Council members questioned the FOP contract's overtime calculation, officer fatigue, and whether budgeted salary money keeps going unspent.
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