Midfield, AL - One Jefferson County city may be ready to dissolve its police department.  Midfield's mayor says he believes his city can save hundreds of thousands of dollars by letting the county provide protection police officers do now.

Midfield would get rid of its police department and contract the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to protect the area.  it would pay the county per officer, but would save money by not having to spend on court and jail services.

"They've been here all these years, why change it now," ask Midfield resident Mary Robinson.

Others like Robinson say the potential to save about $1 million for the city is not worth costing eleven officers their jobs.

"That doesn't outweigh closing down midfield police department," said resident John Crawford.  "I just don't see how you can justify that."

"I don't want no one to lose their jobs, but if they could work together without anyone losing their jobs," said Robinson.

Officers say three of their colleagues have already transferred and one has retired.

"I think they do a good job in patrolling the area. I know they've helped me out on several occasions, incidents," said Crawford.

By law, Jefferson County is required to protect Midfield even if it disbands its police department without a contract.  But deputies say the contract would give Midfield enhanced services including increased patrols and SWAT services.

"What do we need a swat team for," asked Robinson.  "It's still Mayberry!"

Some residents say, if the city plans to give up the police department, it might as well disband.

"Now they can annex with Jefferson County and I don't see a problem," said Crawford.  "But just putting people out of their jobs when they've got homes and cars that they're paying for and they have no way to support their families, then that's just cold."

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