The Los Angeles City Council is expected today to consider a proposal to transfer certain auditing and accounting responsibilities away from the police department into a new bureau under the City Controller’s Office.
On Tuesday, the City Council is expected to discuss and vote on two similar proposals intended to implement a motion introduced by City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez, and seconded by City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, in January.
Soto-Martínez’s motion seeks to establish a so-called Bureau of Police Oversight. The proposal calls for the transfer of about 10 LAPD accounting and performance positions to this new team.
The motion requests the City Controller’s Office to report on an organizational chart and staffing plan for the bureau to oversee the following functions:
— Conduct performance audits in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards;
— Regular review of key LAPD deliverables;
— Cost analysis for each division;
— Review of LAPD-produced reporting;
— Contract, data and performance monitoring; and
— Financial accountability
The first proposal — endorsed by Soto-Martínez and the Personnel and Hiring Committee — seeks to implement the transfer of the auditing and accounting positions.
The second proposal — as amended by City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and endorsed by the Government Efficiency, Innovation and Audits Committee — seeks a report on the transfer, meaning the action would take more time to execute.
Rodriguez had requested a report or analysis of the feasibility, costs and benefits of the transfer, as well as a phased plan for the creation of the Bureau of Police Oversight.
The proposal would require Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso to report on other departments, agencies or bureaus, as well as proprietary departments, that could benefit from additional accounting oversight.