Huge cuts coming to East Cleveland police force have impact beyond city borders

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio - The East Cleveland Police Department will start the new year with layoffs.

A trusted source told NewsChannel5 the department will lay off at least 25 percent of its police officers, meaning 15 to 19 will be out of a job. The department is prepared to make these cuts by Jan. 1.

This is not the first time the department has had to deal with cuts. In 2011, it laid off 36 police officers.

East Cleveland Police Chief Ralph Spotts said the city is working on a strategy that will allow the department to operate with this loss.

Cleveland City Council member Kevin Conwell said even his district will be affected if officers are taken off the streets.

"It encroaches into my ward as well. When you had police officers there, it gave us extra eyes and ears, when you cross city lines into the city of Cleveland. My ward is connected to the city of East Cleveland. Crime knows no borders," Conwell said.

We are told further details about the layoffs will be released next week.