MERSEYSIDE Police are expected to begin a recruitment freeze today as part of a package of measures to save more than £4m.
The move is designed to cut the number of police officers in the force by around 60.
There will also be a temporary ban on taking on more civilian staff by the force.
Finance chiefs are hoping the temporary hiring ban will save a total of £1m.
Another £500,000 is due to be saved through a moratorium on replacing police vehicles.
Merseyside Police Authority is due to rubber stamp the measures at a meeting today.
But chairman Cllr Bill Weightman said more cuts could be in the pipeline when the Government’s comprehensive spending review is published in October.
They could include shelving plans to build new “area command centre” police stations.
Cllr Weightman told the Daily Post he feared police budgets could be slashed by up to 30% by the coalition.
He added: “We have got to take some prudent steps now. We’re trying to get ahead of the game.”
But he lambasted the Government for pushing through the cuts without asking forces what the impact would be on policing.
