8 laid-off Mpls. police officers back at work

Eight Minneapolis police officers laid off in 2009 are returning to work Tuesday.

The officers were laid off shortly after they graduated from the police academy. At the graduation ceremony, Police Chief Tim Dolan told the cadets and their families that the department was working hard to find the money to hire them.

The city used contingency fund dollars and federal grant money, but it finally took some cost savings in the department to bring the officers back.

The police department significantly reduced its overtime costs in 2011. It also made room on the payroll for the rookie officers because enough experienced, higher-paid officers are retiring.

Dolan said the officers will have to take some refresher training before they get back on the streets in a few weeks.