CINCINNATI (Jeff Hirsh) -- Cincinnati City Council's Law and Public Safety Committee discussed adding more police to Cincinnati streets and possible upgraded to police cruisers Tuesday, June 30. The committee recommended a plan to add a 40 member police recruit class in January. That number could jump to 55 members, if the city gets a federal grant. Some wanted that recruit class in February, others wanted it in September. However, the police chief's office and the city manager say staff and logistics dictate that it will be in January. There's a definite desire to add police officers due to the number of recent shootings and attrition. Union president, Kathy Harrell, told the committee that more than 55 officers are needed because the city needs to aim for the future. "We've brought a lot of money into this city but yet we have to beg and keep asking and asking for someone to understand that police officers and the city of Cincinnati and the safety of the citizens of Cincinnati should be your number one priority. Because without that, nobody is going to ride your streetcar." The Law and Public Safety Committee also recommended the city commit to spending two million dollars to upgrade the technology in police cars. These recommendations still have to go on to full city council. Follow Jeff Hirsh on Twitter @local12jeff, and LIKE him on Facebook.
