UTICA -- The Utica Police Department is facing cutbacks after action by the Common Council Tuesday night.
The cuts include 17 jobs, five of which are unfilled positions along with seven working officers and five recruits currently in the police academy. The cadets were set to graduate on April 17 and will not be able to graduate. They will have to retake the courses from the beginning.
The last time positions were cut in the department, the city of Utica saw an increase in crime. That's according to Utica police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Hauck.
There are currently 180 employed by the department. The cuts would drop that number to 163.
The budget takes effect on April 1.
