The Camden City Council has approved a play to lay off the city's entire 270-officer police force as a step toward bringing in a new county-run force.

The council approved the move Friday.

The layoffs are to take effect April 30.

Many current officers could end up on the new force, which is expected to have 400 officers.

Unions for police are fighting the transition, saying it's a union-busting move.

Camden is one of the nation's most impoverished and most crime-ridden cities.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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