CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland is looking to slash nearly 150 vacant police officer positions in an effort to balance the city’s budget.

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is looking to slash 142 vacant positions to try to balance the city’s budget

  • Around 200 Cleveland police officers left the force last year 

  • Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek (D) said he’s worried over this move by the city and the overall current state the city’s police department
  • The city is currently offering a $3,000 signing bonus in an attempt to boost recruitment numbers.

“In my 34 years on the job, we’ve never experienced such an issue of finding individuals that want to become law enforcement, which is troubling,” said Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond during a press conference Friday. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, part of it is the vilification of law enforcement officers.”

Approximately 200 Cleveland police officers left the force last year and the department remains understaffed and struggling to recruit, with a number of vacant police officer positions left sitting open.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is now looking to slash 142 of those vacant positions to try to balance the city’s budget.

“Generally, I believe that, though these reductions in headcount may be difficult for some, it is important that we make those decisions now,” said Ahmed Abonamah, director of finance for the City of Cleveland.

Meanwhile, Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek (D) said he’s worried over the move by the city and the overall current state the city’s police department, including its struggle to staff.

“We cannot fill critical units. The chief is struggling to fill those,” said Polensek. “What is critical is that this marketing and recruitment plan has got to get off, has got to get going.”

The Cleveland Public Safety Director Karrie Howard told Polensek during the press conference that his comments were incorrect and defended the police department’s efforts to fulfill basic duties.

“That’s not accurate when you [Polensek] say the division of police cannot fulfill basic functions,” said Howard.

The city is currently offering a $3,000 signing bonus in an attempt to boost recruitment numbers.