Former LAFD chief Kristin Crowley files lawsuit against city of LA

Former LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles on Tuesday alleging labor code violations after her firing by Mayor Karen Bass.

Crowley, who was removed by Bass as head of the fire agency just weeks after the deadly Palisades fires, claims her termination violated protections in the state labor code and the California Constitution.

The former fire chief alleges that after initially praising the fire department’s response, “Bass reversed course” and looked for someone else to take the fall amid backlash over delayed responses to the fires and criticism of the mayor being absent from the city when the blazes broke out — as well as cuts to the fire budget the year before, according to newly filed court papers.

“She sought to avoid accountability by shifting blame and lying — including falsely claiming that she was not aware of the nationally anticipated weather event, falsely claiming that the LAFD’s budget was not cut, and falsely claiming that LAFD’s resources would have supported an additional 1,000 firefighters to fight the blaze — claims contradicted by public records and Bass’ own prior statements,” the filing states.

The two publicly clashed over the response to the fire, with Crowley alleging the mayor engaged in a “smear campaign” against her.

This is not the first time Crowley has taken legal action against the city.

She filed a legal claim on Aug. 20, 2025, against Bass and the city alleging defamation, retaliation and negligence following her February 2025 demotion.

She had initially stated that she was made the scapegoat for the backlash following the department’s slow response, Bass’s absence from the city when fires broke out, and the overall handling of the blazes.

The California Post has reached out to Bass’ office for comment.

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