HUMBERSIDE Police's cost-cutting plans have been described as "unsustainable" by inspectors.
A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) says it is concerned the force has not done enough to put it in a secure financial position.
It says the force is on track to make savings of £12.2m this year and £16.3m the following year, but much of this is being achieved through ploughing in reserve cash, rather than cost-cutting.
The report also says Humberside is cutting more police officers than most other forces.
Despite the concerns, the force is judged as being "good" overall.
Roger Baker, HM Inspector of Constabulary for the northern region, said: "HMIC is satisfied that Humberside Police is working hard to achieve a secure financial position for the future.
"However, over the spending review, the force has intentionally used reserves to meet any in-year shortfall in their savings requirement.
"While allowing them to balance their books, this means the required recurring savings have not yet been found, and this position is not sustainable."
The force was told in 2010 it needed to make savings of £34.3m before next year following the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.
Although it is on track to achieve those savings, the report says changes will need to be made at an "unprecedented pace".
In 2010, the force had 2,058 police officers but is due to have just 1,563 by March next year – a reduction of 24 per cent. The national average is a drop of 11 per cent.
A further £30m of savings are expected to be required between 2015 and 2018.
Mr Baker said inspectors believe Chief Constable Justine Curran's change programme will allow the force to make long-term savings, as well as changing the culture.
Her plans will see 200 police officers and 600 police staff members leave the force by 2018 and geographical divisions merged.
He said: "A new leadership style has been introduced and the culture of the organisation is now more able to support the level of change that will be happening along with a reduction in the workforce.
"A thorough understanding of the nature of the demand the force is dealing with is informing the new structures that will be established.
"However, it is essential that the plans for the new way of delivering policing are in place and producing savings to ensure there is no slippage that could in turn have an impact on the performance of the force."
Nobody from Humberside Police was available for comment.
PCC Grove: 'Savings will have impact on officer and staff numbers'Police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove said: "It is reassuring that Humberside Police has been assessed as good in this recent inspection and judged as being able to continue to deliver effective local policing, despite the tough financial challenges of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
"On entering office, it was clear the police were looking to achieve the required savings by doing things in the same way – but more cheaply.
"Despite achieving savings and efficiencies from back office functions, we have to accept that delivering effective policing services is a business heavily reliant on people, meaning that required savings will have an impact on officer and staff numbers.
"The key moving forward is how these officers and staff will be used to best effect for local communities in the future."
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