SAGINAW, MI (WNEM) -
A new plan by Saginaw city leaders would contract with Saginaw County Sheriff deputies to patrol city streets, and for less than what the city is paying right now.
Under the plan, current city police officers would become deputies with the goal of providing public safety and save the city money.
"Obviously, we are concerned about it," said Saginaw Police union president Doug Wortley. "Our reaction from the union is that we remain skeptical about this proposal."
Saginaw County Sheriff William Federspiel said the plan can be carried out and that his proposal would include hiring most or all of the current city police, but to save money, benefits and wages might have to be cut.
"Their benefits package are going to change, their wage may change - that's going to change, there's no doubt about it, they will call under my contract, not theirs," said Federspiel.
"For the county to say it can save the city money, I don't know, I am leery of that," said Wortley. And it's the loss of those benefits and wages that has police officers nervous about the deal.
They know that this is only a proposal, and right now are taking a "wait and see" attitude.
"We're concerned about it, once we get our hands [on the proposal], then we'll have a counter proposal," said Wortley.
Federspiel says he will submit his official proposal on Friday.
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