To achieve an 8 percent cut in the Los Angeles police workforce, Chief Charlie Beck moved 350 officers from specialized units to patrol duty around the city.
The reduction is achieved by cutting overtime pay for the officers, because for every hour of overtime an officer works, the department must give that officer 1.5 hours off.
About 170 officers have already been moved from their Gang, Narcotics and Metro assignments, and another 180 will be moved in the coming months, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Beck announced the move at his monthly press availability at Parker Center.
"We are robbing Peter to pay Paul," he said.