Police Union Accuses Mayor of Encouraging Lawlessness at Trump Protests

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing the LAPD rank-and-file, said Monday it will request a city audit to determine the cause of "dangerously low" police staffing levels during the post-election protests last week and provide recommendations to ensure the safety of residents and officers.

The LAPPL will also demand an apology from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for his recent remarks "encouraging protesters to break the law," a union statement said.

"His public statement that, '... we have to make sure we don't break too many laws doing it' promotes an environment that places the public and officers at risk," an LAPPL statement said.

"During last week's protests there were several occasions where LAPD officers were overwhelmed by the sheer number of protesters. In one instance, three LAPD (motorcycle) officers attempted to hold back hundreds of protesters who had flooded (the Hollywood Freeway) and surrounded the officers," the LAPPL said.

"In another instance, an LAPD officer was physically beaten, and his gun stolen, by a protester," the LAPPL said.

A news conference to be conducted by Los Angeles Police Protective League President Craig Lally is planned at LAPPL offices later Monday morning. The request for an audit will be directed to City Controller Ron Galperin.

City News Service