Nix rough time for rookies

sider said.

The Fire Department first developed an anti-hazing policy in August 2013, when it began hiring in large numbers after a prolonged freeze due to a discrimination lawsuit filed by black firefighters.

The new hires included record numbers of candidates of color and women — still less than 1% of the overwhelmingly male workforce.

While the 2013 policy was unambiguous — “Hazing is not part of the FDNY ... and will not be tolerated by the Department,” it said — ugly incidents still occurred.

One of them began in May 2015, when probationary hire Gordon Springs, an African-American, showed up to work at Ladder Co. 35/Engine Co. 40 near Lincoln Center and was confronted by two naked firefighters in the gym, he said in a sexual harassment and lawsuit.

Springs, 27, was forced to get on a work out bench while one of the naked firefighters — who was white — plopped his genitalia on Springs’ forehead, his lawsuit alleged. The hazing continued for months until Springs finally reported it, the lawsuit said.

There have been other complaints — but many hazing victims don’t come forward out of fear of breaking the firehouse code of honor, FDNY critics say.

While the FDNY’s 2013 policy had clear definitions of what constitutes hazing — an effort to end some of the typical “jokes” played on new hires — the new policy explains it even more forcefully, the source said.

The updated policy also spells out the more onerous punishments for violators. discrimination

Hazing of new Bravest has been an ugly tradition, but recent racially tinged incidents have moved brass to put an end to the practice.