Los Angeles police officers rejected a $10 million union fundraising plan that would have aimed to use political advertisements to fight potential layoffs and target some City Council candidates who are in favor of less police funding, union officials said this week.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents approximately 9,800 rank-and-file officers, sent ballots to its members last month asking for support of the special assessment, which would have taken $22 out of each paycheck. Members last week rejected the proposed fund – dubbed “Protecting Our Profession Assessment” – that would have cost each officer more than $1,000 over 48 consecutive pay periods, according to a campaign flyer.

The union vote comes at a time when the LAPD faces cuts tied to coronavirus-related budget problems; and some community members are calling on city officials to defund police.

“Input from the membership during the assessment process underscored the strong desire to continue amplifying our efforts to protect our profession and public safety in Lo