The economy is forcing a hiring freeze in the city of San Diego, including police and fire departments.
The city's chief operating officer says the freeze will take effect immediately. It's an effort to deal with budget shortfall next fiscal year that's expected to exceed $100-million thanks to the city's pension benefits debacle.
Any police or fire academies now under way will be completed and those officers and firefighters hired, but all future academies are canceled for now.
