The Pomona City Council quashed talk Monday night of disbanding its nearly century-old police force, officials said.

The council had the option of placing the matter on the November ballot, leaving voters to decide whether to contract out their law enforcement services to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. In the wake of Monday's decision, that option won't be on the ballot, and any future studies into the matter will be terminated, officials said.

Struggling under a $14.2-million budget deficit, the city could potentially have saved millions by contracting its police services out to the sheriff. Pomona is one of several local municipalities that have recently mulled over outsourcing their law enforcement to the Sheriff's Department. But with a population topping 150,000, Pomona would have been the largest.

The sheriff recently took over patrols in Maywood and Cudahy, and there were talks of a transition in Sierra Madre.

Sgt. Rob Baker, who serves as president of the Pomona Police Officers' Assn. celebrated the council's decision.

"Pomona PD gets to enjoy its 100th year next year," he said. "I'm happy for the citizens of Pomona."

The Sheriff's Department recently finished a preliminary study on the cost of taking over policing in Pomona. About half of the city's $90-million operating budget currently goes to the local force.

Pomona police officers had decried the idea, saying they deserve credit for taking on the city's gang issues and lowering its murder rate.

Discussions on disbanding the force have been entertained -- and abandoned -- in the past.