A resolution that determined the size of the Erie Police Department's force has been eliminated.

On Wednesday, in a 5-1 vote, Erie City Council rescinded a resolution that capped the department's complement at 175 officers by 2024.

Their decision will allow Mayor Joe Schember's administration to move forward with its plan to use $14.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to improve public safety.

"We're excited," said Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny. "We still have a lot of work to do, but I think the city is going to see results."
The plan aims to hire 21 new officers by the end of the year, nine of whom were hired in June.

It also provides funding for the department's crisis unit and Police Athletic League program.

"There's segments in the community that need special services and attention," said Chief Spizarny. "This will allow us the first step in the process to have those resources."

Erie City Councilman Ed Brzezinski presented council with the new resolution.

"We got it done," said Brzezinski. "It was a situation that I wanted to clarify. If President Biden is going to be sending money to states and cities, I want to make darn sure that we are in the right place for it.

Meanwhile, Erie City Councilman Chuck Nelson sponsored the previous resolution that capped the number of officers at 175.

"If these police remain, we're looking at an $8.7 million deficit on the 2026 budget, without any reserves to cover it," said Nelson. "This is going to be on the taxpayers. This is going to be debt for my children."

The city will now resort to the old ordinance, which caps the police department at 204 officers.

This story is supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.