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Friday Was Final Day For 108 Sac PD Workers

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Dozens of police officers and workers at the Sacramento Police Department spent their last day on the job Friday due to budget cuts that forced the agency to drastically reduce its workforce.

Authorities said the department is losing 66 civilian workers and 42 sworn officers, including a rookie officer whose first day as a solo patrol officer was also her last.

Officer Lindsey Goesch said she couldn't help but smile as she pulled out of the police station Friday morning even though her first day on her own wouldn't end the way she hoped.

"First day, you know, responded to a few calls for service," Goesch said, "making routine traffic stops and just making sure everything is going according to business."

Goesch's job was just one of many that fell under the budget axe when the Sacramento City Council approved a $12 million cut to the police department's budget.

A last-second exemption granted by federal officials allowed the department to save the jobs of 35 officers, but dozens of other officers weren't so lucky.

Forensic investigator Bridge Wilson also worked her last day Friday, part of the civilian CSI team that was completely dismantled due to budget cuts. Sworn officers will take over forensic duties for the department.

Some laid-off officers said they have some hope of picking up a job at other local agencies who may be hiring soon, but forensic workers are facing a much tougher job crunch: There isn't a single civilian CSI position open in the entire state.

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