Laura Chick Audits LAPD
Finds Police Financial Functions “Stuck in the 1950’s”

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CHICK AUDIT OF LAPD FISCAL OPERATIONS
CALLS FOR REORGANIZATION

Controller Finds Police Financial Functions “Stuck in the 1950’s”

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March 19, 2007

Los Angeles – Releasing an audit with a whopping 52 recommendations, City Controller Laura Chick is calling for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Fiscal Operations Division to be reorganized.

“My audit of the LAPD’s Fiscal Operations Division reveals an LAPD whose business functions are stuck in the 1950’s. These operations must be completely overhauled in organizational structure, technology, internal controls and accountability,” said City Controller Laura Chick.

“In reorganizing the fiscal operations, the LAPD should create the Office of the Chief Financial Officer which would consolidate all financial functions in the department under one management entity. This would allow the LAPD to prioritize effective fiscal management and free up field personnel to prevent and fight crime in our community,” said Chick.

"Controller Laura Chick's audit of the police department's fiscal operations will serve as a useful management tool for me and my staff," said Police Chief William Bratton. "We will use the findings as a guide to better justify requests and make operations more efficient. As the city department with the largest budget, we owe that to the other departments and the taxpayers," said Police Chief William Bratton who joined Chick at a news conference releasing the audit.

“To ensure fiscal integrity and transparency, the audit division should be realigned, independent of the Fiscal Operations Division. Periodic audits must be conducted of a variety of fiscal activities throughout the Department such as supply procurement, false alarm billings and collections, as well as timekeeping,” said Chick.

The full 77 page LAPD audit, in PDF file format, can be downloaded here: LAPD AUDIT (or can be accessed at her website at www.lacity.org/ctr).

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Laura Chick,
LA Controller
controller.chick@lacity.org