The Stamford Police Association failed to reach a contract deal with the city Thursday night, but still hopes to avoid layoffs.

The Stamford Police Department may have to lay off 23 police officers this summer if it doesn?t reach a contract agreement. Stamford Police Association President Sgt. Joseph Kennedy says such layoffs would leave some shifts understaffed.

Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy says the police union deserves a contract with a 3 percent wage increase, but the chair of the Board of Finance says the money isn?t there. Despite the financial roadblock, Kennedy says he is holding out hope that the police department won't have to lay anybody off on July 1. He says there was nothing else the department could cut.

Nine unions came to agreements with the city Thursday, including firefighters.