Gates’ Budget Option Would Enlarge Force

The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday proposed three alternative budgets for the 1985-86 fiscal year, including one option that would put 300 more officers on the street without submitting a ballot measure to the public.

Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, in response to a request by Mayor Tom Bradley that all city department heads prepare three budget alternatives, submitted proposals to the Police Commission that would maintain current levels of service, increase them by 5% and slash them by 10%.

Under the second alternative, Gates asked the City Council for a $19.3-million increase over the department’s current budget of $386.5 million. The increase would add 300 new officers below the rank of lieutenant to the department.

Gates’ proposals were sent to the City Council on Tuesday by a unanimous vote of the Police Commission.

Two Alternatives

The City Council is considering two alternatives that would increase the department by either 500 or 1,500 officers over the next five years through a voter-approved tax increase.

Gates’ first budget option asked for a $399,653 increase to maintain the department’s present service level. That alternative also allowed for the separate inclusion of replacement equipment, and the department asked for $11.7 million for 750 new automobiles, 55 new motorcycles and 4 new helicopters.

The third option calling for the 10% reduction in expenditures would slash department funding by $37.5 million and result in the elimination of recruit training and the closing of an unknown number of police stations.