Los Angeles Police Union Wants Overtime Restored

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles police union wants the Police Department to restore overtime instead of hiring more officers.

But police Chief Charlie Beck says thinning officer ranks isn't in the public's interest. The chief has warned that a drop in the number of officers would hamper his ability to maintain reductions in crime.

Los Angeles Police Protective League president Paul M. Weber told the Los Angeles Times that the financially strapped city should halt the hiring of new officers to replace those who retire or resign.

Weber says scarce Police Department funds should instead be used to restore overtime pay that has been cut because of the city's money woes.

Beck and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are trying to convince City Council members to keep police hiring intact despite the city budget crisis.

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