February 23rd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Nearly half of the city of Cumberland’s operating budget goes toward public safety. And while occasionally there have been calls by frustrated taxpayers to go with an all volunteer fire department- or having law enforcement picked up by the county sheriff’s department- the city has no plans to move in that direction. Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss, during an appearance on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, was asked specifically about the cost of maintaining a the police department. The nationally-accredited police department consists of 52 sworn officers and 17 civilian support employees and had a budget of $6 million for fiscal year 2021. Mayor Morriss said most citizens, including himself, are more than willing to fund a full-time professional police department with a focus on Cumberland.