Trenton police officers laid down their boots in a symbol of leaving the job after they were officially laid off Friday morning, according to The Times of Trenton.
Many of the 105 officers forced to leave the force attended the ceremony.
"It's tough, it's tough," Officer Sal Reyes told the newspaper. "I did this job because I love it."
Mayor Tony Mack said the officer layoffs unavoidable and called it a new beginning for the city.
"This administration has exhausted every avenue to pursue union and police jobs," he said at City Hall. "Although this is a sad day, it's a day of recovery as well."
Acting Police Director Chris Doyle, who attended the boots ceremony, said he was devastated.
"I just watched 105 police officers walk out of the police department who were loyal to the city," he said. "We will still maintain, as close as we can, our levels in the patrol bureau to maintain staffing levels and respond to 911 calls."
