RETIREMENTS DRAIN LAPD FORCE.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Deputy Police Chief Frank Piersol is among the 188 LAPD officers who retired effective Wednesday - more than twice the number who usually take pensions each July 1.

Normally, 70 police officers take retirement each July 1, so the Los Angeles Police Department is taking immediate steps to increase recruit classes to make up for the larger-than-normal vacancies, according to Lt. Anthony Alba, an LAPD spokesman.

``We can't fill the void of knowledge and experience but we can fill the number of people that are leaving,'' Alba said.

The lieutenant said a combination of factors has contributed to the number of retirements, including the fact that the LAPD made a major recruitment push about 30 years ago, and many of those officers are now of retirement age.

He also said Wednesday was the effective date of the last of a series of 5 percent pay raises for police officers - which boosts pension benefits - and also was the starting date for a new rule giving full medical benefits to retirees over the age of 55.

Piersol, who leaves with 33 years on the job, said the next raise is a 2 percent increase next year ``which is not enough to cause someone to stick around.''

``It's just that I've had a very long career and it's time,'' Piersol said of his retirement decision.

He denied his departure was hastened by a decision by former acting Chief Bayan Lewis to demote Piersol from assistant chief to deputy chief after Chief Willie L. Williams left office.

The demotions of Piersol and then-Assistant Chief Ronald Banks cost the two a $16,000 reduction in salary, which also meant a reduction in their pension benefits.

Banks later quit to become chief of police in Inglewood.