ST. JOSEPH COUNTY -- The sheriff's department has one of the largest budgets in the county. Friday officials had the tough job of deciding where to cut $1.2 million.

During the discussions, commissioners and state police went back and forth.

"You have to leave this county to get back into this county," said an officer, describing to commissioners how far some patrolmen travel from one call to next. "That's dangerous for those people."

Officers also fear a third straight year of a lack of pay raises could cause an exodus of officers to other departments.

"I want you all to know, that the reality is we're going to have to do something," Commissioner Steven Ross said. "You're going to feel it more than some other departments."

St. Joseph County Police has one of the county's largest budgets. The department is forced to reduce its budget by 8 percent.

Sheriff Frank Canarecci says $1.2 million would mean fewer officers on the street and inside the jail.

"With fewer officers on the street, number one, the response time is going to be down," said Canarecci. "Your backup is going to be considerably down."

Canarecci says jail populations have increased from 500 inmates in 2003 to 701 today.

While five police merit-based leadership positions were eliminated, 15 other departmental positions have yet to be filled. Canarecci believes there's nowhere left to cut.

"They know that we've cut the fat," he said.

"This is not an easy thing to be doing or saying," said Ross. "But the reality is we just don't have the money."

Officers believe cuts will put lives at risk.

An officer told commissioners, "The minute we start risking the lives of the officers and the other employees and the citizens of this county, then we are irresponsible."

With a $6 million deficit and tough economic times looming, it will be a tough few months for both sides until a decision is finalized.

"This isn't to save money," Ross said. "This is to use the limited resources that we are going to have."

Canarecci said the department is hurting because of limited funding. He suggested to commissioners to follow the lead of several cities around the country and add fees for traffic violations.

He said $12 added to 13,765 traffic violations written in 2007 would generate more than $100,000. He believes those funds would keep officers on the street where they are needed.