LAPD Protests: Costs & Lawsuit Impact
- The lack of sweeping LAPD reforms raises concerns about police accountability and the potential for future misconduct, impacting community trust and safety.
- Five years after George Floyd's murder and the ensuing mass protests, significant reforms within the Los Angeles Police Department have stalled.
- During the George Floyd protests in May 2020, the LAPD faced a shortage of "less-lethal" rubber projectiles.
Five years after George Floyd’s death, LAPD reforms have stalled despite initial efforts, impacting the community. The department faces scrutiny over its handling of the 2020 protests, with settlements and awards costing millions of dollars. Staffing shortages and a perceived shift toward aggressive policing complicate matters.News Directory 3 provides key insights into the LAPD’s challenges. Discover what’s next for the LAPD.
LAPD Reforms Stall Five Years After George Floyd’s Death
Updated May 25, 2025
Five years after George Floyd’s murder and the ensuing mass protests, significant reforms within the Los Angeles Police Department have stalled. Initial efforts to overhaul policing practices and address police brutality have not resulted in sweeping changes, despite ongoing scrutiny and financial repercussions.
During the George Floyd protests in May 2020, the LAPD faced a shortage of ”less-lethal” rubber projectiles. Emails show officials arranged for reserve officers to fly to Casper, Wyo., to purchase 2,000 additional rounds from Safariland.The department’s response to the protests, including the use of rubber rounds, led to criticism and numerous injuries.
The city has spent $11.9 million in settlements and jury awards related to police actions during the protests. The LAPD is also facing perhaps tens of millions more in liability exposure from pending lawsuits. Despite this, some argue that public sentiment has shifted back toward supporting aggressive law enforcement, citing recent legislative changes.
The LAPD’s staffing is down nearly 1,300 officers since Floyd’s death, reaching levels not seen since 1995. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell attributed the decline to a lack of support for officers and ongoing recruitment challenges. The L.A. City Council recently approved a $14 billion spending plan for 2025-26 that cuts funding for police recruitment to avoid laying off other city workers.
LAPD chief Jim McDonnell, center, and Capt. James Hwang perform the uniform inspection during graduation for recruit class 11-24 on May 2.
(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
While some efforts to limit police involvement in minor incidents have been implemented, other reform proposals have stalled. A plan to overhaul the department’s disciplinary system and another to replace officers with unarmed workers for traffic stops have not progressed.
“That movement created a backlash that has translated into a diminished appetite” for reform, Art Acevedo, former police chief said.
John Burton, an attorney representing individuals injured by less-lethal rounds during the 2020 protests, argues that the LAPD has not addressed its underlying culture of aggression. He noted that internal affairs investigations rarely find fault with officers’ use of force, even with video evidence.
What’s next
The LAPD will continue to grapple with staffing shortages and calls for further reform as city leaders explore option approaches to policing and community safety.