Exactly how many police officers are protecting you here in Tulsa? It depends on who you ask. The city claims a much different number than the officers themselves. Is a police shortage putting you at risk? NewsChannel 8's Cindy Morrison spent months investigating the bottom line. Despite campaign promises and official numbers, will there be a police officer available when you need one? The city claims 814 sworn officers. But police say there are only 771 actually on the streets. Which number is right?

We used the "Freedom of Information Act" to get our hands on the records -- the sign-in sheets officers use when they get to work. They show since the first of the year exactly how many cops are out on the streets.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we told you about Kaye Alley. She caught a man who broke into her house and chased him off. But today, that's not what bothers her the most.

"A whole other issue is the shortage of policemen," she says. "It shouldn't take two and a half hours to show up."

She asked the officer why it took so long.

"He said there are only three to five officers assigned to that huge area and one had called in sick that day."

Kaye lives in Uniform Division East. But, we soon learned the other two divisions -- North and Southwest -- are experiencing the same shortage on any given day or night.

"Generally, Friday and Saturday nights we get so busy, that high priority calls will have to hold," says Darin Filak.

We requested the sign-in sheets for every shift at all three divisions. We found police constantly operating at what's considered minimum manning levels.

"Minimum manning is the level we think we can safely put people out there and not get people hurt and handle the calls for service," says Chief Ron Palmer.

That number is few as twelve officers per division during the day and as little as 20 per division at night. Between responding to calls, paperwork and booking suspects into jail, not all of these officers are out patrolling the streets.

"Yes, it could be true," Filak says. "On a midnight shift down in South Tulsa, there's only one officer south of 71st street. That happens quite frequently."

Luckily, if there's an emergency, officers can respond from anywhere in the city. But, how could there be a shortage when the city claims to have 814 sworn officers? That number comes from payroll. But, when you take out officers serving in the military over seas, in training, in the academy, on light duty or medical leave, that leaves approximately 771 actually on the streets according to the latest numbers.

In addition, we found at least two shifts where as many as 13 officers took a comp day. They're allowed to do that when they work overtime. Add in any sick days and special assignments? On one day, nine out of the 12 officers on duty had to be called back in to work just to meet the minimum requirement.

"I presume that minimum staffing level is enough to take care of what's happening out there," says Mayor Kathy Taylor.

More cops was the focus of Taylor's campaign for mayor.

"I will put more police in our neighborhoods," she said in 2005.

Mayor Taylor says she's added officers, increased the police budget 18-percent and is getting ready to do a manpower study so the city can best utilize the officers it has.

"I think just looking at the number of bodies doesn't give you a full picture," Taylor says. "That's what the manpower study will do. It will look at numbers of people with calls for service, types of crime and how our city is developing."

That manpower study may take up to six months. But, Chief Palmer says there's some immediate relief.

"We'll have 18 coming out of field training this week actually or early next week," Palmer says.

Even with 18 more officers hitting the streets, Kaye wonders if that's enough and plans to make sure the mayor keeps her promise.

"I would like to see more police officers," she says. "Mayor Taylor promised in her campaign that she would hire two hundred more police officers. That's all we heard her whole campaign. And we have yet to see them."

More city development usually means money for more police. But, as you know the the river tax failed. So, Mayor Taylor isn't sure whether voters will pass a police and fire tax like Oklahoma City.

As for Kaye Alley who caught a burglar red-handed? Because she told the 911 operator the burglar left, she was told her call at that point became a lower priority. With the number of officers on the streets, right now top priority has to go to those folks in immediate danger.

How does the Tulsa Police Department stack up against cities with a similar population? Tulsa has 814 sworn officers on the payroll. Minneapolis has 862, Oakland has 729 and Colorado Springs 688.

Want to know what calls police are responding to in real time? visit www.tulsapolice.org/calls.html.