23 officers in Stamford to be laid off

Negotiations between the city of Stamford and the Stamford Police Association (SPA) broke down tonight and that means 23 police officers will be off the beat, the union tells News Channel 8.

The layoffs will be effective June 30.

Negotiations began last month when the Board of Finance cut funding for salary increases to mitigate a tax increase.

The SPA says the layoffs will bring the department's manpower level down to 83-percent.

Mayor Dan Malloy said in a statement that his budget proposal was fully funded for raises and blames the Board of Finance for the cuts.

"It was a goal of mine and my administration to prevent layoffs to our hard working men and women. I do not support the necessity of these layoffs," Malloy said.