Mayor puts faith in police

City leaders say they have no illusions about the tough economic times Costa Mesa is facing, and they are maintaining confidence that police officials will find areas to save money in the department without affecting enforcement.

“We’re facing some difficult times, and some difficult decisions have to be made,” Mayor Allan Mansoor said. “I’m very appreciative of the steps Chief of Police Chris Shawkey is taking. I have full confidence that he will maintain a high level of police service in the community.”

Police union leaders have expressed concern over some areas Shawkey has said are under review for saving money, including possibly getting rid of the Airborne Law Enforcement program (ABLE), which provides the police helicopter. Shawkey said reserve officers will be laid off by the end of June and that four cadets in the department’s recruitment program could also be let go after further review next month.

“We need to be responsible and accountable. And the only way to do that is to look at everything,” Mansoor said. “It would be irresponsible for us to not look at everything.”

The department’s narcotics unit will be disbanded by the first week of January, with its officers being reassigned to different areas in the force.

“I think everybody has an understanding that these are not normal times,” Councilwoman Wendy Leece said. “And as we get out of this economic crisis we’re all willing to look back to see where we started from.”

Police union President Allen Reickhof said he’s concerned that changes in the department, such as with the narcotics unit, could become permanent. Shawkey and other department officials maintain positions are being left vacant and aren’t being eliminated, so they could eventually be refilled.

“Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Leece said. “Our best hope would be for the country to get out of this sooner rather than later.”

The department is looking to withhold more than $640,000 in expenditures through the end of the fiscal year in June. Dissolving the narcotics unit will save an estimated $150,000, Shawkey said.

Efforts to reach Council members Katrina Foley, Gary Mohahan and Eric Bever were unsuccessful.

Mansoor and Leece said they have not yet been approached by city staff members or union officials to sit down and discuss union contracts, but they believe the council is open to the idea. Reickhof said the union is willing to renegotiate contracts with the city if it could potentially save jobs, given the city’s tightening budget.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.