In an effort to balance the budget Des Moines will eliminate five police officers after the first of the year. Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker said this does not mean any services will be cut.

In the original cuts proposed by Baker three police officers would be cut, along with the elimination of any currently unfilled positions. Two more police officers would be moved from the city's general fund to the levy lid lift budget. The lid lift was passed by voters to increase the police levels in Des Moines.

Even with the reduction in staff Baker said he is not planning on having to cut any police services, such as the Crime Prevention Task Force.

He said as long as he can maintain three police officers to every sergeant on duty he would not have to eliminate any police services.
In the Nov. 19 council meeting, Councilman Dave Kaplan made a motion to eliminate a sergeant position. This would save an additional $30,000.

Baker urged the council not to eliminate administrative positions, saying the force was structured the way it was for a reason. Baker said one of the biggest problems the police force had before they brought him in 2003 was a lack of oversight and accountability, and eliminating a sergeant could bring back those problems.

The motion to put the cuts on next year's budget, including a sergeant, was passed. Baker spoke again at the Dec. 3 council meeting asking the council not to cut a sergeant position.

After listening to the duties the administrative sergeant performs, council members agreed to remove the sergeant position from the proposed cuts.

Originally on the list of cuts was the city's code enforcement officer. After some discussion this position was taken off the cutting block. Councilman Ed Pina said, what's the point of having code rules if no one enforces them.

Despite Baker's comments, the Des Moines Police Guild issued a statement warning the public of "the potential danger of cuts."

The statement said the council's cuts were in retaliation for the guild not agreeing to reoccurring wage cuts. The guild said it had "surrendered" to demands for wages cuts for this year and next. (Click on letters to see the statement.)

Nothing is final until the council approves the budget, which is on the Dec. 10 agenda.

In other business, because of an ordinance passed in 2007, the number of meetings the council members can be paid for next year will be increased from 36 to 40. Councilwoman Carmen Scott said the council usually reaches 36 meetings by the middle of September.

By state law council members cannot increase or decrease their own pay, but they can affect the pay to embers not yet on the council.

That is why the ordinance passed in 2007 is taking effect now.

Kaplan wanted to keep the number of meetings council members can be paid for at 36. Council members can voluntarily give up their compensation for meetings, something Kaplan has been doing.