WASHINGTON (AP) - D.C. Councilman David Cantania is planning to introduce a bill on Tuesday that would create a commission to study police recruitment and retention.

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Police Chief Cathy Lanier has said that the department has about 3,880 sworn officers and has warned city lawmakers that it would be "trouble" if that number dropped below 3,800. Under Mayor Vincent C. Gray's proposed 2012 police budget, the number of officers would likely drop to about 3,700.

Cantania's bill would require the mayor to appoint three members to the commission and for the police union to appoint three members.

The department has been bracing for a sharp increase in retirements and it has been unable for budgetary reasons to recruit new officers through its training academy.

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Information from: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com