The Los Angeles police officers union on Wednesday asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to spare law enforcement in the latest round of state budget cuts, saying crime could increase as the recession makes people desperate.

"We understand that the state budget is going to be heavily impacted going forward, but if we don't make public safety our first priority, we will be creating even more misery for our state's residents," according to a letter from the Los Angeles Police Protective League to the governor.

Paul Weber, the league's president, said he worries that if the governor and lawmakers aren't vigilant, state cuts could trickle down and affect local law enforcement.

"If they don't address their responsibilities in Sacramento, it's going to hit us," he said.

The union's letter comes as a massive city deficit has put the LAPD in danger of deep cuts.

The City Council last week approved $74 million in budget cuts and revenue increases, including a $6.7 million slash to the LAPD. And as council members search for at least $17 million more to fill the city's growing deficit, they are eyeing further cuts to the department.

LAPD Chief William Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa have warned that further cuts could halt a plan to hire more officers in coming months.