LA approves $5M loan to cover LAPD overtime from anti-ICE protests

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council authorized a $5 million loan from the reserve fund to partially cover overtime fees for LAPD officers that were accrued while responding to anti-ICE protests in downtown.

What we know:

The City Council voted 13-2 to approve a special motion introduced during Wednesday's meeting by members John Lee and Katy Yaroslavsky. Council members Eunisses Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez voted against the motion.

While the request requires approval from Mayor Karen Bass, the City Council green lighted a transfer of up to $5 million from the reserve fund to pay for overtime for "pay period 25."

Councilwoman Rodriguez discusses LAPD's response to protest

LA Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez discusses LAPD's response after a viral video showed officers not intervening during acts of destruction near a protest in downtown.

In response to an inquiry about how much overtime pay officers are expected to collect, an LAPD spokesman said in an email, "We do not have numbers at this time."

The spokesman also did not clarify the exact time frame of "pay period 25," which ended on June 14, according to the motion.

Elected officials are expected to allocate dollars in the reserve fund for this loan, the only source of funding to address overtime concerns, according to the motion.

Estimated cost of LA protests 

According to LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, as of June 16, the city has spent $19.7 million in its response to the protests.  

The vast majority of those funds - 87% or $17.2 million - went towards the Los Angeles Police Department. According to documents from the Office of the City Administrative Officer, $11.7 million went towards overtime costs for officers. In response to incidents of violence at several protests, LAPD declared a citywide tactical alert on multiple nights, which is an emergency measure that extends officer shifts, cancels scheduled leave, and prioritizes urgent calls for service.

READ MORE: LA ICE protests have cost the city nearly $20 million: See the numbers

"As a result, the (LAPD) has incurred significant sworn overtime costs that exceed their ability to provide cash payments to their officers who are on the front lines of protecting life and property," the motion reads.

City officials warned that if they do not cover the cost for this pay period it could create ongoing and growing liability for the city.

City budget shortfall 

By the numbers:

Amid economic challenges, the City Council and Bass recently approved an approximately $14 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which cut spending in some areas and includes cost-saving measures to address a $1 billion deficit, but is larger than the $12.9 billion budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The budget calls for hundreds of layoffs, which are expected to begin at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1.

The deficit was partially caused by overspending, new labor contracts, and rising liability costs in connection with complaints filed against the LAPD. These settlements have prompted elected officials to dip into the reserve fund, a rainy day account for emergencies.

"...Any transactions that reduce the reserve fund balance in the current fiscal year will necessitate actions in 2025-26 to keep the reserve fund balance at or above the Charter requirement of 5%," the motion reads.

What's next:

City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo will be expected to present a repayment plan for the loan. Additionally, Szabo has been tasked with identifying more money to cover overtime from Sunday through the end of the curfew.

Meanwhile, the city is facing mounting lawsuits from protesters and journalists, who alleged police brutality and violations of their rights under state and federal laws during anti-immigration enforcement protests.

LAPD Chief says officers didn't provoke protesters

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell denied claims that officers provoked No Kings protesters after organizers said officers fired rubber bullets at peaceful demonstrators.

The LAPD issued a statement that said officers arrested protesters engaged in illegal and violent acts over the weekend. It noted that officers used chemical agents and more than 600 rounds of so-called "less-lethal munitions" for crowd control and to protect people and property.

The department confirmed that officers made 575 arrests since protests began, according to a statement issued Monday. Additionally, LAPD reported 10 officers were injured related to the protests.