Council asks CLA, CAO and personnel to study transferring LAPD auditing and accounting to Controller

The committee approved an amended motion on Feb. 12, 2026, directing the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA), City Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Personnel Department to analyze the feasibility, costs and benefits of a potential functional transfer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s auditing and accounting activities to the City Controller.

The chair introduced an amendment instructing the CLA, CAO and personnel department to report on feasibility, costs, benefits, budget impacts for FY26-27, the role of the proposed bureau relative to the controller’s duties, and relevant past inspector reports. The motion was seconded and debated; Council members emphasized transparency concerns and the LAPD’s large share of unrestricted funds.

A council member asked that the issue also be referred to the Governmental, Institutional and Administrative (GIA) committee; colleagues agreed the controller should provide a phase plan for creating a bureau of police oversight within the Audit Services Division, including initial staffing and areas of focus. The chair accepted a friendly amendment to coordinate the CLA, CAO and personnel reports and requested simultaneous submittal.

Roll call on the amended motion recorded the votes in favor and the chair announced the matter approved as amended; the committee did not effectuate any transfer at the meeting and instead requested the coordinated feasibility reports to inform future action.