After the 20 additional officers are recalled in January, approximately 50 police officers will remain on state-imposed layoff status. The city projects that all laid off police officers will return to duty by the end of the third quarter of 2012.

CLEVELAND - On the heels of yesterday’s recall of 25 police officers from layoff status, Mayor Frank G. Jackson is announcing that he will bring back an additional 20 police officers in January 2012. This move comes earlier than the current attrition rate allows. This acceleration of the reinstatement of officers will provide the resources the city needs to address increased activity downtown while maintaining the same level of service in our residential neighborhoods,

Budget projections for 2012 include an increase in income tax revenue and other revenue sources. These revenue increases will help fund the early recall of these 20 police officers as well as allow Jackson to:

*   Re-open recreation centers on Saturdays;

*   Re-instate staffing of the 26 playgrounds that were unstaffed during 2011; and,

*  Open pools on Mondays and Tuesdays when the temperature is at least 65 degrees during the summer.

The police layoffs and service reductions in recreation were the result of state-imposed budget cuts earlier this year. Finance Director Sharon Dumas discussed Jackson’s decision to restore these vital services yesterday at Cleveland City Council’s Committee of the Whole.

The committee discussions are currently being broadcast by TV 20 and can be viewed online.

After the 20 additional officers are recalled in January, approximately 50 police officers will remain on state-imposed layoff status. The city projects that all laid off police officers will return to duty by the end of the third quarter of 2012.