Protests and employee unrest over vaccine mandates have been closing out the last months of 2021, but at the Los Angeles Police Department, there has been little pushback.
"Eighty percent of the department is fully vaccinated," Chief Michel Moore told "Inside the Issues." "I look forward to modeling this as an agency that acts responsibly, that protects and serves everyone."
Moore spoke to host Alex Cohen about the widespread acceptance from his employees working under one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the nation.
"I'm proud of their acceptance," Moore said.
He said the risks of catching the virus are something the department knows all too well. When the chief spoke to "Inside the Issues," he said two of his employees were in the hospital with COVID-19.
Since the pandemic's start, more than 3,200 LAPD employees have been impacted by the virus and 11 have died.
"Since the vaccine has been available for our men and women they have leaned into it," Moore told Cohen.
However, there are some outliers.
"We do have those that are coming late to the party if you will," he said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said city employees should expect to lose their jobs if they are not fully vaccinated by Dec. 18. Last week LAPD sent 2,300 notices to employees who didn't report their vaccination status. City employees who aren't vaccinated will have to undergo regular testing or get approval for a religious or medical exemption.
Moore told Cohen he was not worried about a mass exodus.
"I'm happy to report the vast majority, over 99% of the people that have been served have agreed to either become vaccinated or have agreed to do the testing and submission of necessary paperwork," Moore said.
Out of 12,000 LAPD employees, four have refused any agreement, three sworn personnel and one civilian. Those individuals have been assigned to stay home and undergo termination proceedings.
"It is my expectation that all members of this organization follow the rules," Moore told "Inside the Issues." "We are an organization that enforces laws and to do so I believe we must abide by those same laws."
Last month, Los Angeles' vaccination mandate deadline for city employees was pushed back from Oct. 20 to Dec. 18.
Moore said the extension will allow more people to overcome vaccine hesitancy.
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