COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN INTRODUCES MOTION TO ENSURE QUALITY MEDICAL SERVICES CONTINUE FOR PEOPLE IN LAPD CUSTODY

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2025

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Councilmember Nithya Raman introduced a motion, seconded by Councilmember Tim McOsker, to ensure the continuation of medical services for people detained by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The Personnel Department’s Medical Services Division currently operates three 24-hour medical clinics at each of the city’s detention facilities: 77th Street, Van Nuys, and Metropolitan. However, due to a challenging budget process for the upcoming fiscal year, the Personnel Department sustained significant cuts resulting in a proposal to suspend medical services at the 77th Street and Van Nuys Detention Facilities. Councilmember Raman’s legislation seeks to maintain existing medical services at all three facilities and ensure continuity of care for people in LAPD custody. 

The City of Los Angeles detains an average of 43,000 individuals annually. Of those individuals placed into custody at city-run detention facilities, 70% require medical attention – meaning thousands of individuals relying on and receiving care from medical professionals at one of the City’s three detention centers. Under the proposed FY25-26 budget, two of the three medical clinics have the potential for closure, resulting in reduced quality of care for those in need, increased wait times at the remaining facility, and increased strains on sworn officers who would be required to transport arrestees in need of medical attention to the Metropolitan Detention Center for booking no matter where in the city an arrest took place. Councilmember Raman’s legislation seeks to find ways to continue operating the 24-hr medical clinics operating at the 77th Street and Van Nuys Detention Facilities and ensure adequate medical services continue to be provided.

“The ramifications of shutting down two out of the three medical clinics currently operating at our City’s detention centers cannot be overstated,” said Councilmember Raman. “With 70% of people arrested requiring medical attention, it is imperative that we are able to maintain our ability to care for people.”

“Providing quality medical care for people in custody is an important responsibility, but it’s also a key part of effective public safety operations,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “When we maintain medical services at all three detention facilities, we avoid pulling officers off the street for extended periods to transport individuals across the city. Keeping services close to where arrests happen provides better health outcomes and allows our public safety officers to work more efficiently.”

Councilmember Raman’s legislation requests the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and Personnel Department, with the assistance of the City Administrative Officer (CAO) report to the City Council within 30 days on the impact of shutting down medical services at the 77th Street and Van Nuys, including (1) potential impacts on the health and well-being of individuals in LAPD custody; (2) the impact of clinic closures on wait times and service provision at the remaining medical facility; (3) potential strategies for improving recruitment and retention of medical personnel within the Medical Services Division; (4) a cost analysis of maintaining all three in-house medical clinics versus relying on contract providers and expanded LAPD custody transportation services; and (4) the impact of officers being out of the field for transport to the Metro Detention Facility.

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