The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to transfer certain auditing and accounting responsibilities away from the Los Angeles Police Department into a new bureau under the City Controller’s Office.
The council voted unanimously to support the motion to establish a Bureau of Police Oversight. It was introduced by Councilman Hugo Soto-MartÃnez in January, and seconded by Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez.
There was no discussion on the matter before Tuesday’s vote.
The motion requests the transfer of about 10 LAPD accounting and performance positions to the new team. The City Controller’s Office is expected 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.
Two proposals were being recommended Tuesday. The first — endorsed by Soto-MartÃnez and the council’s Personnel and Hiring Committee — sought the immediate transfer of the auditing and accounting positions.
The second proposal — as amended by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez and endorsed by the Government Efficiency, Innovation and Audits Committee — sought 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.
Ultimately, the council approved the proposal endorsed by Rodriguez.