Approved Budget to Eliminate Nine Police Officer Positions

During the Public Hearing at which the City Council adopted the final budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, the proposed budget to the Norman Police Department was reduced by $865,000, resulting in a net budget increase, when compared to the current fiscal year, of $104,000.  Council instructed staff to reduce the budget through reductions in the Salary and Benefits line items in the Department. 

To facilitate this direction, the following positions will be eliminated from the budget:

  • 1 Master Police Officer position from the Staff Services Division.
  • 1 Master Police Officer position from Criminal Investigations Division.
  • 1 Sergeant position from the Criminal Investigations Division.
  • 2 Master Police Officer positions from the Patrol Division.
  • 2 Police Officer positions from the Patrol Division.
  • 1 Master Police Officer position from the Special Investigations Division.
  • 1 Sergeant position from the Special Investigations Division.

 

Seven of the nine eliminated positions are currently vacant due to typical annual attrition. The City Manager has approved NPD to overhire to prevent further layoffs until the remaining two positions become vacant due to resignation or retirement. 

The elimination of these positions resulted in a reduction of $865,321, which has been re-allocated to a General Fund Reserve for Community Outreach of $630,321 to be appropriated by Council at a future date, and $235,000 for an Internal Audit function.  Public input will be gathered in the formation of recommendations on how this new reserve could be appropriated to fund Community Outreach and Social programs.

These position reductions will be effective on July 1, 2020.