New York’s Finest Receiving Food Stamps?

Recruits join the police force for many reasons, but probably not for the fantastic starting pay:

At least one police recruit has asked for food stamps because of the NYPD’s paltry starting pay — prompting Mayor Bloomberg yesterday to blast the police union again for signing off on the $25,100 annual salary.

No recruits have apparently received food stamps, and it was unclear if any could qualify. Bloomberg spokesman Jordan Barowitz said it was “virtually impossible” for any recruit to meet the guidelines for the stamps.

During their six months in the Police Academy, recruits earn about $370.17 after taxes each week. The salary, the lowest in two decades, was created by the latest contract between Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association and City Hall.

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Earlier, Bloomberg said the pay was created “at the request of the PBA.” “They wanted to move monies from those who hadn’t joined the department to those who have been there a long time,” he said. “[I] did not think it was good policy.”

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An NYPD official, who asked not to be identified, said one recruit has asked about getting food stamps. But sources close to recruits said as many as a dozen had applied.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the academy has lost 6% of its class so far, compared with 4% of the previous class, which earned more money.