Despite assurances that policing in the cash-strapped city will not be scaled back, the Police Protective League has mounted a campaign to generate public opposition to LAPD furloughs.

The PPL sent an e-mail to 400,000 registered voters, asking them to contact Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council and express their opposition to any furlough of Los Angeles Police Department officers.

"We have heard it is one of the things the city is considering to meet its budget," League President Paul Weber said. "We also hear there might be some consideration in laying off the newest officers.

"Public safety is the No. 1 concern in all the polls. We need officers more than ever now, with the governor looking at releasing 23,000 prisoners. "If we are going to come through this recession and encourage residents and businesses to stay here, we need to see a continued reduction in crime," he said.

However, aides to the mayor and City Council members say there are no plans for to furlough officers.

"Public safety remains the mayor's top priority," Villaraigosa spokesman Matt Szabo said. "The last thing we should do in a recession is cut police resources.

"We are working with representatives from the firefighter and police officer unions to reduce costs without reducing public safety resources," he said.

Julie Wong, a spokeswoman to City Council President Eric Garcetti, echoed those remarks.

"There has been no talk of furloughs for sworn personnel," she said.

The City Council authorized a plan last week to furlough municipal workers for 26 days a year, which could mean a shut-down of city services two days a month. That proposal is being reviewed by the city unions.

The council also voted to continue hiring police officers to replace the estimated 480 who are expected to retire or resign.

The city is negotiating with the police and firefighters for a new contract. The current contract expires on June 30.