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Officers Make Emotional Plea Against Proposed Budget Cuts

Written by KEYT Assignment Desk

Story Created: Mar 16, 2010 at 4:13 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2010 at 10:16 AM PST

Santa Barbara, CA-- The Police Officers Association marched their concerns to the Santa Barbara city council, Tuesday afternoon.

Wearing POA shirts, officers met on the steps of the police station, where they then walked to City Hall.

POA President Sgt. Mike McGrew spoke during public comment the $3 million in cuts slated for the department, and what challenges those cuts will present for officers.

He then played a 9-1-1 dispatch tape of a caller reporting that a Santa Barbara motorcycle officer was injured in a crash. That officer was en route to help victims of a separate crash, when he was struck. During the four minute tape, a dispatcher instructs the caller to administer first aid to the critically injured officer.

Sgt. McGrew said the purpose of that tape, is to show the importance of what their department does.

Sgt. McGrew also said that the department is stretched thin and cutting $3 million would mean cutting 23-officers from the force. The DARE, Police Activities League and downtown night enforcement team would also be suspended, as well as other program.

Officers tell KEY News, they will be offering concessions out of their pockets. No word on the exact amount just yet.
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