The Los Angeles City Council has approved hiring 90 new police officers now in the police academy in order to maintain the force at its current staffing level.

Police Chief Charlie Beck told the council Wednesday the new hirees would replace officers leaving the force by June 30.

The new officers will cost the department an additional $1.4 million, but Beck said the department has slashed overtime by $60 million.

The chief also said that 240 officers are spending some of their workdays on civilian duties because of layoffs.

Councilman Bernard Parks objected to hiring new cops until the city's revenue stabilizes.

The city faces a $222 million shortfall for this fiscal year.