How many police officers should a city the size of Troy have? That's the question Troy Mayor Patrick Madden is asking as he considers ramping up the city's police force. 

The Troy Police Benevolent Association has expressed support for that idea, but the project could be a strain on the city's already-tight budget.

"I've made recommendations before to at least hiring 10 new officers, bumping our officers up to 140," said Troy PBA President Nicholas Laviano. "I'd like to see us up to 145. Again, whether or not taxpayers are going to stomach that increase, that’s where it's going to come from."

According to Laviano, a bump could put a school resource officer in Lansingburgh High School, and the department could look to new additions like an evidence tech unit. 

City Council President Carmella Mantello says finding more money to fund officers would be a challenge and tough on residents, especially after the recent passage of a city trash tax. 

"Money has to come from somewhere; it can’t come from the back of taxpayers. Taxpayers have really been seeing this brunt of many of the increases that have taken place," said Mantello.

And while the proposal is in its early stages, the PBA president is already thinking about how more officers could help the city. 

The idea is in the beginning stages. The mayor says the first move will be to take a closer look at the numbers of officers and the cost, but no official steps have been taken.