A £1m overspend on Cumbria's police budget should be a one-off cash problem, a meeting heard.
The panel overseeing the work of Cumbria's crime commissioner was told a surprise payment brought in by the Government had contributed to it.
Moves were underway to balance the books, possibly by dipping into a reserve budget set aside for rainy days.
Cumbria's police force is on course to bust its annual budget by £1m.
Various factors had contributed to the problem, including the cost of overtime for armed patrols deployed due to the national terror attacks.
A one per cent bonus for officers that came as part of a pay award was also a factor.
Crime commissioner Peter McCall said he would be maintaining pressure on the force over spending between now and the end of the financial year.
He said: "I'm quite clear my mission is to keep Cumbria safe.
"So if we have to start using our resources that is something we will consider."
The meeting of the Cumbria Police and Crime Panel was held near Penrith.
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