COPS Hiring Recovery Program
On April 14, 2009, the City of Inglewood
submitted a grant application for the COPS
Hiring Recovery Program. The City requested
approximately $10 million in funding to hire a
minimum of 30 additional police officers at
entry-level salary. The level of funding
requested will pay for the salary and benefits
of all the additional police officers for three
(3) years.
The Inglewood Police Department’s budget is
currently authorized 221 sworn positions. This
level of sworn personnel is insufficient to
handle the crime suppression, prevention, and
intervention needs of the City. This fact is
made evident by the increasing gang violence
within the City. For example, as of May 27,
2009, the number of gang related homicides that
have occurred within the City is 12 (the most
recent occurring on May 26th);
slightly over two (2) homicides per month. The
City’s current budget constraints (primary due
to decreased property tax revenue) prohibit
funding the positions with general funds. If
awarded a COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant,
the number of sworn personnel the Department is
authorized will increase by approximately 12%.
At the conclusion of the grant, the City plans
to continue funding the positions beyond the one
(1) year required by the COPS Office. A
potential source of local funding will be the
planned closing and redevelopment of the
Hollywood Park Race Track into retail space and
residential units. This project will present the
City with an opportunity to create the framework
wherein a revenue stream can be generated to
continue funding the needed officers and
associated civilian staff.
Inglewood Police Building Upon Strengths
A police department
is most effective in reducing crime and boosting
public safety when it enjoys the full support
and confidence of the people its officers are
sworn to serve and protect. Indeed, any erosion
in that confidence works against the community’s
best interests.
Click here
for more information.
Inglewood Police Respond to Los Angeles Times
Report
The Inglewood Police
Department has released the following statement
in response to today’s Los Angeles Times
coverage:
Click here to view the Press Release
