By David Madden

CAMDEN, N. J. (CBS) - Camden County officials have a pretty good idea of how much it will cost to replace the Camden City police department with a larger force under their control.

$65 million a year; that’s how much the city now pays for 270 officers. They will get 400 for the same money under the new Metro Division plan, according to Camden County Freeholder Lou Cappelli.

“We’ve created efficiencies in the work rules and the compensation for the officers with regard to extra benefits and we’re using those savings to hire additional officers,” says Cappelli.

There is an additional $7 million in start-up costs.

Camden’s FOP disputes the validity of any real savings, even as members are being urged not to join the new department. So far 90 current Camden cops have expressed interest in the new force.

Hiring should start next month, once the state approves a transition plan.

Cappelli expects the county force to be up and running by January.