New York, NY – Citing continued budget problems, New York City’s mayor has delayed a class of 540 police cadets that was due to start this month.
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The NYPD’s headcount now is over 34,000, about 6,000 fewer than at its peak staffing in 2000.
Police union president Patrick Lynch called the move a bad decision that would compromise public safety and put officers at risk. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn blasted the move. She said it was made without consulting the council.
Mayoral spokesman Stu Loeser said the administration was only moving the April class to July, when 900 recruits are expected to be hired. He said the two classes would be combined.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said “we’ll continue to fight crime with what we have.”