One officer or two? Since the 1970s, Wheeling's police officers have been required to patrol in pairs but on Tuesday night, the city took the first step toward a public vote on the policy.

During their regularly scheduled City Council meeting members voted to pass the ordinance in an overwhelming 6-1 vote.

"It's going to be the voters decision how they feel," said 1st Ward Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge. "Do they still want to keep the two-man cruiser or should the chief make the decision on where he feels a two-man cruiser should be needed or not needed?"

"We leave this up to the voters now," said Wheeling's Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger. "It remains a divisive issue between many members of the police department. But I feel the police department should make decisions related to deployment and resources."

But not everyone agrees and 3rd Ward Councilman Robert Henry made that clear Tuesday night with his vote.

"Being an ex-policeman, I think having four eyes is better than two," said Henry. And he is hopeful voters will see his point of view.

"For the citizens for their own protection and the protection of the policeman I think it's better if you vote for two men in the car," said Henry.

The chief says it is an efficiency issue. But some fear city administrators will go too far.

"I've had calls and I've talked to a lot of the officers. If we defeat this cruiser issue there concern is that police officers will be cut and I will not let that happen," said Delbrugge.

The mayor says there are no plans to cut any officers and this ordinance will not change that.