The Los Angeles City Council has approved a $5 million loan from the city’s reserve fund to help cover overtime costs incurred by Los Angeles Police Department officers during the recent wave of anti-ICE protests in downtown L.A.
The 13-2 vote, held during Wednesday’s council meeting, came in response to what officials say has been a costly effort to manage ongoing demonstrations. The motion, introduced by councilmembers John Lee and Katy Yaroslavsky, still requires approval from Mayor Karen Bass.
As of June 16, the city has spent nearly $19.7 million responding to the protests, according to L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia. About 87% of that total – $17.2 million – was allocated to the LAPD, with roughly $11.7 million used specifically for officer overtime. The protests, which have included reports of violence, led LAPD to declare citywide tactical alerts on multiple nights, extending shifts, canceling leave, and reassigning officers to priority calls.
According to the motion, the overtime costs for LAPD’s “pay period 25,” which ended June 14, exceeded the department’s ability to pay officers directly. Without the loan, city officials warned, the unpaid balance could create “ongoing and growing liability” for Los Angeles.
No estimate has been given for total expected overtime, and LAPD has not clarified the duration or scope of the pay period in question.
The $5 million loan is the latest sign of financial strain for L.A. In May, the council approved a roughly $14 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26, aimed at closing a projected $1 billion deficit. The plan includes hundreds of layoffs and significant cost-saving measures. Overspending, new labor contracts, and rising liability costs – including settlements tied to LAPD conduct – have already forced city leaders to tap into reserve funds.
Meanwhile, the city faces mounting legal challenges. Protesters and journalists have filed lawsuits alleging police brutality and civil rights violations. Since the protests began, LAPD says it has made 575 arrests and reported injuries to 10 officers. Officers also deployed chemical agents and over 600 rounds of “less-lethal” munitions during crowd control operations.
