Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said yesterday that because of the city’s budget shortfall he’s “not certain” he’ll be able to hire 540 police recruits next month.

Kelly issued the warning at a hearing of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, where Chairman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens) raised concerns that the Police Department is being stretched too thin.

Peak uniformed strength is supposed to reach 35,367 in July 2012, more than 5,400 below its all-time high of 40,800 in 2001.

But Kelly said reaching the target would require adding 540 recruits next month, 900 in July and 630 in January to replace retirees.

“We hope [to be able to do that],” he said. “We’re not certain now. We haven’t sent out any notices — let’s put it that way — in terms of hiring recruits.”

Earlier this month, Mayor Bloomberg ordered all city agencies to come up with additional budget cuts of 4 percent by March 24 in case Albany doesn’t come through with $600 million in anticipated aid. Schools and the uniformed forces were asked for just 2 percent.

With a budget of nearly $4.5 billion, that still left the NYPD searching for $101.4 million in savings.

(Source: NY Post)