LAPD Chief States City Needs 12,500 Officers for Adequate Policing
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that the city requires 12,500 officers to adequately police its population.
New York, NY, July 25, 2026 —
Los Angeles, CA – Police Chief Jim McDonnell has stated that the city of Los Angeles requires a force of 12,500 officers to adequately police its population.
The statement from Chief McDonnell indicates a significant staffing need for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to effectively manage the demands of the city. The exact number of current officers was not provided in the statement.
Adequate policing levels are often debated in large urban centers, with factors such as population density, crime rates, and geographical area contributing to staffing requirements. Chief McDonnell’s figure suggests a substantial gap between the current staffing and the department’s assessment of its needs.
The statement did not include details on the timeline for reaching this proposed staffing level, nor did it outline specific strategies or budgetary requests associated with increasing the officer count. Further information regarding the department’s current strength and its plan to meet the 12,500-officer goal was not immediately available.
Story summarized from the original created by Gale Hammons, Jon Fleischman on nypost.com, see more information here.
