A Los Angeles city panel split Monday over whether to recommend going ahead with plans to hire a new class of police recruits as the city grapples with a $405 million shortfall and tough union talks.

The Budget and Finance Committee voted 2-2 on whether to allow the 37-cadet class to begin training in three weeks as part of a plan to hire new officers to replace the 300 expected to leave this year.

Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and Jose Huizar voted to continue the class and Councilmen Bernard Parks and Greig Smith voted to delay it. Councilman Paul Koretz was absent.

It will now go before the full City Council.

The debate came as the panel began to juggle the city's $7.01 billion budget to cover a $405 million shortfall following the agreement Friday with the Coalition of City Unions. That agreement included a controversial early retirement plan for city workers and a pledge by unions to try to save the city about $80 million.

"I strongly believe we should continue hiring through attrition," Rosendahl said, adding he also did not want to see line officers involved in a furlough program to make up more of the city's shortfall.

But, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which is in contract talks with the city, argued it makes no sense to train and hire new officers while forcing experienced officers to take furloughs.

"If you continue to hire, you will be forced to furlough 1,600 officers each day," Protective League Director Peter Repovich said. "That makes absolutely no sense."

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has stood by the hiring plan, saying the city has a pledge with residents to keep the department at close to 10,000 officers - paid for by an increase in the trash fee.