Video: Cleveland Lays Off 123 Officers, Cadets

The Cleveland Division of Police will lose 81 sworn officers and 42 cadets in a municipal budget-cutting plan that will also result in the demotion of four sergeants.

In announcing the cuts, Mayor Frank Jackson said he could not afford to wait until next month or next year, because delaying the cuts would only make them much worse.

"In order for us to minimize the impact in delivery of services and minimize the impact on our employees, I made a decision to do it now," Jackson said during a press conference today.

Jackson has said the "state-imposed" cuts must be made because Gov. John Kasich is cutting $35 million of funding to Cleveland. In order to close an $8 billion budget gap without raising taxes, Kasich has cut the amount of money the state gives to local communities.

As a result, the Cleveland Division of Police will lay off 81 sworn officers 42 cadets. Jackson said the officers will return as others retire.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Watch the mayor's briefing (via Cleveland.com):

VIDEO: Cleveland Mayor Announces Officer Layoffs