RUMFORD – If the Rumford Police Department loses two officers, fewer calls would receive responses and the safety of patrolmen could be jeopardized, Chief Stacy Carter told selectmen recently.

“Right now, we struggle to keep up with the calls,” Carter said when he met with selectmen Thursday night to begin a discussion on the level of service during the municipal budget-building process.

Carter was asked to describe the impact of reducing the police department budget, increasing it, or keeping it the same.

“We’re already below the average for our population and we’re pushed to our limits,” he said, adding that calls now have changed drastically because of drug and alcohol use and the increase in violence.

Some, including Selectman Mark Belanger, have complained that at $914,000, the Rumford Police Department budget is too high for a town of 6,400. Selectmen have scheduled a public survey asking what residents want from their major municipal services in June.

It was Carter’s turn on Thursday. Fire Chief John Woulfe will describe the impact on services with cuts, increases and remaining the same at 6 p.m. March 15.

Carter said just over 84 percent of the total police budget goes to salaries, so any cuts that would be made would involve personnel. Right now, the department has 14 full-time people, including two officers on patrol 24 hours a day, two sergeants who supervise patrolmen and complete most of the court and other paperwork, two detectives, a lieutenant and the chief.

He said the proposed budget for 2007-2008 for the current level of service is remaining virtually the same as this year because of the elimination of the parking monitor and most dispatch services.

If the department was to increase, his first priority would be for a secretary who could complete much of the paperwork, subsequently allowing more patrolling by sergeants. Other desired positions would be that of a school resource officer, whom he said could have a positive impact for reducing future crimes, and an officer trained to work with a narcotics dog.

Cutting two patrolmen positions would reduce the department budget by about $110,000.

Selectman Greg Buccina asked whether the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office could provide additional support to the town.

Lt. Mark Cayer said they would have to add people, and Carter said the Sheriff’s Office is spread thinner than his department.

Public hearings on the level of service provided by both the fire and police departments will be set closer to the June town meeting.