Mayor Bass Proposes Cutting LAFD’s Diversity Bureau Amid Budget Shortfall

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Bureau of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) could soon be eliminated as part of Mayor Karen Bass’s proposed budget cuts, a move that may affect employment opportunities for underrepresented groups from Inglewood and surrounding communities seeking careers in firefighting.

The mayor has proposed folding the LAFD’s Equity Bureau into the Professional Standards Division, effectively dismantling a program created less than three years ago to increase diversity in the department’s ranks and create a more inclusive workplace environment.

Established in November 2022 by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti alongside the city’s first female fire chief, Kristen Crowley, the bureau was tasked with recruiting firefighters from underrepresented groups, including women, who currently make up less than 4% of the department’s workforce.

For Inglewood residents considering careers in public safety, the bureau’s potential elimination could impact pathways into the fire service, particularly for women and minorities who have historically faced barriers to entry in the profession. The LAFD serves as a major employer in the region, with stations near Inglewood’s borders that frequently coordinate with Inglewood Fire Department on mutual aid calls.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bureau had drawn criticism from right-wing media following the Palisades fire, becoming a focal point in broader debates about DEI initiatives in public safety departments.

The proposed cut comes amid the city’s efforts to address a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall, which has resulted in proposed layoffs across multiple departments. These changes are part of a larger regional trend of budget constraints that could affect public services utilized by residents throughout the South Los Angeles area, including Inglewood.

Local civil rights organizations and community leaders from South Los Angeles communities have expressed concern that eliminating the bureau could reverse progress made in diversifying fire service ranks, potentially affecting hiring opportunities for qualified candidates from neighboring cities like Inglewood and Compton.

The Inglewood Fire Department, which operates independently from LAFD, maintains its own diversity initiatives and recruitment programs. However, many firefighters in the region often apply to multiple departments during their careers, making LAFD’s policies relevant to the broader firefighting community across Los Angeles County.

This story draws on information from the Los Angeles Times and regional budget reporting.