Special Report
How Much Money Goes to Police Departments in America's Largest Cities
June 25, 2020 11:54 pm
Portland, Oregon
> Population, 2018: 652,573
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 4.4% (2nd smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $245 million (19th smallest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $5.52 billion (7th largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 180 (329th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 1,177 (922 officers, 255 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 520 (170th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
The city of Portland’s new budget slashes its police budget by $15 million, which will result in the loss of about 84 positions. Some activists had been demanding a cut of $50 million. Before protests erupted after the killing of George Floyd, the city’s budget had called for a $3 million increase in police funding. Prior to voting on the budget, the city council heard from hundreds of citizens pushing for reallocating some law enforcement funds.
Source: Photo By Raymond Boyd / Getty Images
Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), Tennessee
> Population, 2018: 665,498
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 11.8% (13th smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $289 million (25th smallest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $2.45 billion (18th largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 264 (120th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 1,757 (1,435 officers, 322 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 1,113 (27th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
Taking effect July 1, Nashville’s new budget increases police spending by about $2.6 million. The additional funds will be used to hire 48 new recruits. One city council member’s proposal to slash the police budget in half did not get much support. This year’s budget includes $2.1 million to buy body cameras for all officers. Advocates say cameras are an essential tool for monitoring police behavior.
Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images
Detroit, Michigan
> Population, 2018: 672,681
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 15.1% (23rd smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $317 million (23rd largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $2.10 billion (21st largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 449 (13th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 3,019 (2,398 officers, 621 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 2,008 (the highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
While Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer does not support “defunding” the state’s police departments, she would like to see more investments in health care, schools, and transportation. In Detroit, Police Chief James Craig is supportive of this idea but not at the expense of cops. He pointed out that his department struggled to do its job during the city’s bankruptcy period of 2013-2014 that forced budget cuts.
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images News via Getty Images
El Paso, Texas
> Population, 2018: 682,686
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 15.1% (22nd smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2020: $158 million (7th smallest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2020: $1.05 billion (8th smallest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 196 (280th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 1,341 (1,103 officers, 238 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 371 (275th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
El Paso police faced criticism after using tear gas and non-lethal rounds to disperse protesters on May 31. The police said they reacted after some members of the crowd became unruly and threw bottles at officers. A state senator urged the El Paso City Council to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The city manager has now been tasked with exploring the idea of a civilian review board.
The police department is the largest line item in El Paso’s budget, followed by the fire department and mass transit.
Boston, Massachusetts
> Population, 2018: 695,926
> Police dept. funding as % of total budget, fiscal year 2020: 10.3% (9th smallest out of 50 largest cities)
> Total police budget for fiscal 2021: $375 million (19th largest)
> Total city budget for fiscal 2021: $3.65 billion (11th largest)
> Law enforcement employees per 100K: 390 (24th highest out of 634 cities with 65K +)
> Total law enforcement employees: 2,715 (2,122 officers, 593 civilian employees)
> Violent crimes reported per 100K in 2018: 622 (130th highest out of 634 cities of 65K +)
Boston is moving forward with plans to cut a specific part of the police department’s budget — overtime. The pay of officers working overtime can amount to significant amounts at departments across the country. City officials are looking at a 20% cut (about $12 million). The funds would be diverted to health, addressing homelessness, and business development.
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