Jail guards have gripes

IN HIS first public foray into the political arena, the new head of the correction officers union railed Friday that the city gives the NYPD whatever it wants, but ignores the safety of the men and women who patrol the jails.

“Whenever there is a national threat to police officers, anywhere in this country, the NY Police Department immediately responds by marshaling every resource available to secure the safety of its officers,” Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association President Elias Husamudeen said.

“However, it seems there is no one but our fellow officers who we can count on to have our backs.”

A mayoral spokeswoman gave kudos to Husamudeen, saying, “Thanks to Commissioner (Joseph) Ponte’s aggressive anti-violence reforms, serious assaults on staff have dropped by 50% this year.”

Husamudeen (below) replaced Norman Seabrook, forced out after he was indicted on corruption charges for steering $20 million in union money to a hedge fund in return for kickbacks.

Husamudeen said officers, facing increased risk, are receiving orders telling them not to use force if assaulted, he said.

“The department is bowing down to special interest groups and has created an environment where correction officers are afraid for their safety,” he said.