The mayor's budget proposal, which was released on Friday, reduces the city's police department by 24 positions. So does that mean cops will be on the chopping block?

Probably not, according to the department. The full impact will be spelled out to the Council on Oct. 5, but deputy Chief Scott Gerlicher said they do not expect to lay off sworn officers in 2012 since attrition (retirement, etc.) will likely fill the gap.

The mayor's budget says all sworn positions -- generally someone who carries a gun and a badge -- will be reduced through "attrition and reassignment." On top of that, several of the 24 reductions are non-sworn positions.

As the sworn officer population decreases, Gerlicher said their top priority will be to keep 911 first responder positions filled using non-911 officers.

"911 response has and will be our top priority for staffing," Gerlicher said in a statement.

Altogether, Rybak is proposing a $4.4 million reduction in growth to the police department, including 17 officers. That savings is split between contractual services, the Community Engagement Program and the Public Safety Services Program.