Bridgeport's police chief is optimistic he can make the cuts Mayor Bill Finch has requested in order to prevent layoffs.

Finch has outlined a number of tasks necessary to preventing job cuts. The police department in particular has been asked to cut $1.5 million in overtime pay. The mayor also wants $4.5 million in concessions from all the city's unions.

Police Chief Joseph Gaudett is hopeful he can meet those demands by refocusing the department. He says he plans to pull all officers into either the patrol or investigative divisions in order to cut some specialized units. Gaudett maintains the moves will not have an impact on public safety and will save money.

"We're going to focus on our core missions, which are law enforcement and investigations of crimes," says Gaudett. "If some of our divisions don't support that core mission then we're going to have to look and see if they should continue to exist."

According to Finch, the cost-saving maneuvers are necessary to close a $20 million deficit.

The divisions to be cut have not been announced yet.

Finch eyes cuts to prevent layoffs in Bridgeport