LAPD officers want across-the-board pay raises

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- When it comes to police departments, few agencies are as famous as the Los Angeles Police Department. But when it comes to pay, thousands of officers say they are not getting star treatment.

More than 100 LAPD officers clad in white t-shirts crowded into City Hall Tuesday morning to advocate for better contracts.

Several stood before the city council to make their case, including asking for a pay raise.

City leaders acknowledged the sacrifices made by members of the LAPD, but they say the city simply can't afford an across the board pay raise.

"The city's in a very difficult financial time right now," said City Councilman Mitch Englander, the chair of the public safety committee.

The city's latest offer was rejected by the union earlier this month. It would have provided $70 million for overtime pay instead of comp time. It would have also provided a pay increase for officers hired during the recession who were making less than their colleagues.

But the proposed contract did not provide a raise or a cost of living adjustment.

"To look at our officers today and give them absolutely zero, and say we're not going to give you a pay raise and we're not sure when we're going to give you one is unacceptable," said Peter Repovich, a director with the Police Protective League, the union that represents more than 9,000 police officers.

Last week, Mayor Eric Garcetti released a YouTube video, urging the union's rank and file to accept the city's latest offer.

Both sides are talking, but so far there's no sign of any real progress toward a new contract.