Way back when I was an administrator with the State, we faced a 15% budget cut. I submitted a proposal that would make the biggest cuts at the top of an inverted pyramid and the tiniest slice at the tip (which is where the real work gets done). I was not popular with administrators or the dead weight top layer folks.
I think the same is true here. Keeps the men and women on the streets and cut the dead weight at the top.
Phoenix Police To Get Pink Slips?
Cara Liu
Reporter, KPHO.com
POSTED: 8:55 pm MST January 19, 2010
UPDATED: 6:47 am MST January 20, 2010
PHOENIX -- As the city of Phoenix struggles with dramatic budget woes, all departments are being asked to make cuts. That includes the Phoenix Police Department.
Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Trent Crump confirmed the department has been asked to prepare to cut as much as 15 percent of its budget -- about $70 million.
“There's a lot of anxiety amongst our employees," said Crump.
The department would not give an official estimate as to how many positions could be on the chopping block. The department currently has about 380 positions that have not been filled. But layoffs, impacting sworn officers currently working in those jobs, would be unprecedented.
However, rank and file officers told CBS 5 News their commanders have said the worst case scenario could mean a cut of 440 jobs. Some said privately that many are very worries about either losing their jobs or being transferred to different jobs.
"What people have done, and why this anxiety has started… is because (people) are doing math,” said Crump. “We have to get to the number of $70 million and this is how many people it will take to get there."
The department is looking at other ways to save, including consolidating squads, according to police. Furloughs and pay cuts could also help save jobs, but so far it’s unclear which measures the city will employ to balance the budget.
"If we take the worst case scenario for the city, which is what we are planning for right now, yes -- we could see hundreds of police officers laid off," said Crump.
In that worst case scenario, junior officers would be the first to go, and more than a hundred detectives could move back to patrol.
The department also acknowledged that deep cuts would mean it would take officers a longer time to respond to crimes and solve cases.
"I think it's safe to say if we eliminate positions, something's going to give," said Crump.
The police union, PLEA, has told members if layoffs are imminent, it will devise a list of concessions in pay and benefits -- and allow members to vote on what they’re willing to temporarily ‘give back’ to save jobs.
Public safety managers have been asked to prepare for up to a 15 percent cut. Other departments are looking at possible cuts of up to 30 percent.
A draft budget is due in early February. A final decision is expected in early March.
If there are layoffs of police officers, they are expected to take place in April.
Crump said the city’s timeline is forcing them to start making preparations now.
“We don't want to wait until the eleventh hour and be unprepared -- for the process of dealing with our employees, with transfers into different work units, (and with) where we're going to make the cuts and what type of cuts we are going to make in the eleventh hour. We want to be ready for it," said Crump.
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