HAMILTON — City Council unanimously approved three-year contracts Wednesday for the police and fire divisions that guarantee there will be no substantial staffing reductions.

        With Hamilton experiencing tough economic times, police officers, firefighters and citizens were concerned that the city might make severe personnel cuts in both divisions to save money.

        The contracts already have been approved by the unions.

        The agreements call for a minimum of 117 police officers and 104 firefighters. There are now 122 in the police division and 103 in the fire division.

        Mayor Adolf Olivas and Vice Mayor Thomas Nye said the minimum staffing standards eliminate fears of a big drop-off in police and fire protection in the future.

        “The personnel are assured of jobs, and the citizens get the same police and fire protection they've been accustomed to,” Mr. Olivas said.

        “There was just so much uncertainty before,” Mr. Nye said.

        The new contracts will go into effect when the existing contracts expire.

        The new contract for rank-and-file police runs from Sept. 1, 2001, through Aug. 31, 2005. The new contract for police supervisors runs from March 11, 2002, through March 10, 2005.

        The firefighters' new contract runs from Jan. 1, 2002, through Dec. 31, 2004.

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