LAPD Chief To Reduce Sworn Personnel

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said he expects severe cuts to sworn personnel, following the failure of a half-cent sales tax measure to fund public safety.

On Tuesday, voters turned away Proposition A , which would have raised $211 million a year. The measure gained 45% approval.

The chief told the Los Angeles Times he remained convinced that the department will be "severely impacted" and probably "will be faced with a reduction of sworn personnel" unless the city's projections of a $220-million budget shortfall improve dramatically. The LAPD's proposed $1.3-billion budget includes a 93% allocation to salaries.