The Honolulu Police Department likely will get at least one more recruit class this year after all.

Police Chief Boisse Correa yesterday told the City Council's Public Safety and Services Committee that his staff has located money for another recruit class, and city budget director Rix Maurer III said the Hannemann administration is looking at giving authorization for that class.

Two weeks ago, HPD announced that the June 22 graduating class of 17 cadets could be the last for a while because of spending restrictions imposed by the administration.

Correa said he is worried that without new recruit classes, HPD may have a hard time replacing as many as 250 officers who might be retiring or leaving for other reasons during the coming year.

"Right now we have about 275 personnel, out of a force of 2,143 officers, with 25 years or more (of experience) that can retire at any given time," the chief said.

"At this point, we have no ... authorization at least, for starting a new class by the end of this year," Correa said. "Our concern is, once you turn off any type of recruitment, it takes a while to get officers out on the road."

Correa said, however, that money was found, through savings in overtime and other expenses, that could be used to fund that next recruit class of about 60 officers, at a cost of between $1.8 million and $2.5 million.

Mauer said his staff is reviewing HPD's authorization request for that recruit class. "I think within a week or two we can make a recommendation to administration," Maurer said.

Maurer also pointed out that HPD officials have applied for federal economic stimulus funding for up to 150 additional positions.

Committee chairman Donovan Dela Cruz and Council chairman Todd Apo said they want to make sure the city administration keeps police personnel and other public safety issues as a budget priority.

"What concerns me is the numbers I've heard so far," Apo said. "If we only have 17 (new officers) planned ... we can't wait too much longer."

Dela Cruz said his committee will follow up on the situation at its meeting next month.

Police Commission chairwoman Christine Camp testified that she and her colleagues "did not realize the department was asking for a new class. I'm a little surprised about this request coming in at this late juncture."

Correa said after the meeting that Camp and the other commissioners were informed that the June graduating class may be the last in a while. "I don't know where she's coming from."

Correa's five-year contract is expiring next month. The commission opted not to renew it, choosing instead to begin looking for a replacement.