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Council approves four police psychologist appointments after public questioning of duties
Summary
The City Council approved four appointments for police department psychologists, moving emergency appointments to permanent status. A public commenter asked for clarification on whether psychologists’ roles would focus on officer training, crisis response or support for officers themselves.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve four appointments for psychologists assigned to the police department, with the council recording a 10‑aye roll call and adopting the appointments "forthwith."
A public speaker, identified in the transcript as Mr. Shapiro, asked the council to clarify the roles the psychologists would play. He asked whether the positions were intended primarily to provide training to officers who encounter people with mental‑health needs, to accompany officers to crisis incidents, or to provide psychological support to police personnel. Shapiro noted the city currently uses approximately 11 psychologists across the department and described potential benefits for both training and crisis intervention.
Council member Ridley Thomas moved the appointment; a council member recorded as Wax seconded the motion. The roll call was recorded as 10 ayes, and the council approved the appointments and directed they take effect forthwith.
What was approved: Four psychologist positions for the police department were confirmed as regular appointments following emergency appointment status. The backup material referenced in public comment said 11 psychologists were on the department’s roster prior to these appointments.
Next steps: The appointments are effective immediately. No operational detail about specific duties or deployment schedules was provided during the hearing; the public commenter requested that staff clarify the intended uses (training, crisis response, or officer support).
