A FORMER police chief has opposed the force’s budget cuts after it was announced today that officers and staff would lose their jobs.

Cumbria Police must slash its budget by £18.6million over the next four years, starting with £7.6million this year.

It means that 100 officers, including some frontline policemen and women, will be made redundant by September while 235 police staff posts will go in the next year.

But Reg Watson OBE, Cumbria County Councillor and former chair of the Police Authority, opposed the final budget settlement as a protest for the people who would lose their jobs, despite agreeing with proposals put forward by Police Authority treasurer Doug Thomas.

“I think I should be angry on behalf of the people of Cumbria because they are going to get cuts to their service.

“We have always protested at the government whenever they have tried to have a go at reducing money for us.

“I really feel hurtful because it has taken years to get to where we are and it will take years to recover to this position.

“I hope we can keep morale up and keep our position as one of the best in the country.”

While other councillors said they wished jobs would not be lost, they said the reality of Britain’s economic situation meant that they had to approve the final budget.

Other cutbacks Cumbria Police will impose include a freeze on recruitment, which has already begun, the force’s ICT budget being slashed by £2.75million, and the vehicle budget being reduced by 30 per cent.

The police also want to increase mobile working where officers can benefit from direct access to computer systems while in the community, and streamline management structures.

On a more positive note, officials said there will be no rise in council tax for residents and the 105 community support officers in the county would keep their jobs.

“This is a challenging time for the Constabulary,” said Chief Constable Craig Mackey.

“The scale of the budget cuts means that the Constabulary will have to shrink by a fifth by 2015.

“We are firmly committed to providing the communities of Cumbria with an affordable and realistic policing service.

“It is by us all working together to ensure that crime and disorder remains at the low levels that we have experienced in recent years.”