Home Office ministers are being challenged to come to Cumbria to see the challenge the county's police face.
The county's constabulary is being asked by the government to axe up to £26million from its spending over the next four years.
Cumbria Police say that will mean its not financially viable to protect the public.
Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: “Disappointingly, we have been advised that current funding formula proposals would mean Cumbria would lose highest proportion of our budget out of all the forces at 15.83%, which equates to £9.5 million.
“This is obviously of great concern to Cumbria Constabulary, as there is only so much money that can be saved while retaining a viable policing service. We will be looking at these proposals in detail over the next few days and establishing what exactly it would mean for Cumbria’s people and communities.
“We have until the 30th October to respond to the Home Office with our concerns, and we will do so in detail. I would like to reassure people in Cumbria that we will continue to provide the best possible policing service we can afford during this process, and keep the public updated on any developments.
“I remain committed to Cumbria, and hope that local people will help us fight to retain a viable policing service for the communities of Cumbria in the face of increasingly tough financial challenges.”
A consultation closes in a fortnight, and Mr Graham is inviting politicians to visit the area to see the implications such huge changes would cause: