It’s a spending crackdown that critics say may have criminals cheering.
A new police order bans cops from working during their paid vacation time, yanking officers from jobs they take on during the holiday season, The Post has learned.
The NYPD Office of Management Analysis and Planning’s directive — estimated to save the city an annual $4.1 million — is already in place, although it won’t affect already approved “working” vacations.
The cost-cutting comes as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s order that every agency tighten its belt to trim the deficit. The NYPD zeroed in on a tradition that allows cops to work one week of paid vacation every year, giving cops extra dough and the city extra staff.
“At a time when the NYPD is being cut by another 1,100 police officers, the city is eliminating a program . . . that provides police protection to the city in a cost-effective manner,” said PBA President Patrick Lynch.
NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said the ban would have minimal effect on the force of 35,000 members.