DETROIT, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Facing a $300 million budget deficit, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Monday agreed to furlough 150 police officers and merge six police precincts.
The unprecedented reorganization plan, which creates six district stations from the current 12 police precincts, was announced by Chief Ella Bully-Cummings, who said the department could put more officers on patrol by eliminating desk jobs.
The Detroit News said the changes in the 3,500-member police force could save around $20 million.
"There will be some hurt," said Bully-Cummings. "There are things the community has come to expect ... we can't afford to do it any more."
Kilpatrick has ordered other city departments to cut $34 million to help balance the city budget. The City Council approved $70 million in budget cuts for the police and fire departments in June.
