Auburn’s police union is intensifying its opposition to proposed staffing cuts, warning city leaders that reducing positions would directly impact public safety and officer response in emergency situations.
In a statement released following a press conference and the sharing of graphic body camera footage, Auburn Police Union Local 195 President Michael Bufano said the videos were intended to show the reality officers face daily — and why staffing levels matter.
Bufano argued that the incidents shown were not isolated, but representative of routine calls requiring coordinated response, quick decision-making and adequate backup. He said cutting positions would reduce response capacity, limit officer support in the field and increase risk during volatile situations.
The union maintains the department is already operating with minimal staffing, leaving little room for further reductions without consequences. Bufano described the proposed cuts as a decision that would “lower the level of safety” in the city, emphasizing that the impact would be immediate and measurable.
The statement comes as Auburn officials weigh budget decisions that could affect police staffing levels, a move union leaders say would strain an already taxed department. Local 195 has urged city leaders to reconsider, framing the issue as one of both officer safety and community protection.
City officials have not publicly responded to the union’s latest remarks. The debate is expected to continue as budget discussions move forward.
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