Legendary Former LAPD Chief Backs Greuel’s Goal for 12,000 Police
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today the Wendy Greuel for Mayor campaign announced that former Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton endorsed Greuel’s public safety goals.
Bratton’s support comes on the heels of Greuel’s announcement earlier today that the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) endorsed her Mayoral bid.
"I’m pleased to endorse Wendy Greuel’s ambitious goal to achieve 12,000 police officers in the City of Los Angeles,” said Bratton. “Per geographic mile, Los Angeles is one of the most under-policed cities in America. Wendy's support for the much needed and for too long delayed expansion and investment in the LAPD is just what Los Angeles needs to ensure an economically viable and safe city."
“It has been nearly a decade since Police Chief Bill Bratton told the people of Los Angeles that we need 12,000 Police officers to protect a city as big as ours, a goal also supported by Chief Beck. The City has made progress, but we are not there yet,” said Greuel.
Greuel added, “Chief Bratton’s endorsement of my public safety goals today highlights the growing consensus among law enforcement that LA is under-policed and that we need more officers patrolling our neighborhoods. My public safety plan aims not only to increase the number of police officers, firefighters and paramedics while reducing 911 response times, it also lays out a plan to expand crime prevention programs and develop a neighborhood-based emergency preparedness system. I'm honored to have Chief Bratton's support of my vision for a safer Los Angeles.”
Recognized as one of America’s premier police chiefs, Bill Bratton is the only person to have led two of the largest police forces in the United States, the New York City Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. Bratton revitalized police morale and cut crime in each of his top posts--as Chief of the New York City Transit Police, Boston Police Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner and Chief of the LAPD.
During his tenure as Chief of Police in Los Angeles from 2002-2009, Bratton oversaw a drop in violent crimes by 41.5% and a drop of aggravated assault crimes by 52.6%.
Last week, Greuel was joined by firefighters as she announced her public safety plan to keep the city’s residents safe.
Wendy Greuel believes public safety is a top priority, and her plan allocates a minimum percentage of new revenue growth to public safety after the budget is balanced. It would set aside 20% of revenue growth for hiring new police officers, firefighters and expanding crime prevention programs. An additional 5% of new revenue will be used to create a Public Safety Trust Fund to be used for public safety emergencies or to sustain the increase in LAPD and LAFD personnel during economic downturns. The minimum allocation to public safety would only take effect in years when the City's budget is balanced and only applies to new revenue growth.
To view the plan, click here.
Recently, Greuel picked up endorsements from the Law Enforcement Association of Asian Pacifics (LEAAP), the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) Local 112.
Today’s announcement follows Greuel’s announcement early today that she was endorsed by the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) of Los Angeles County. Recently Greuel was also endorsed by Los Angeles News Group, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) PAC, and the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats.
