Mr. Dinkins announced, just two days into the job, that because of budget problems, the city would have to delay hiring 1,800 police officers.

Yesterday, he was asked if it was now "foolish" to delay hiring police officers while increasing money for social welfare programs.

Mayor David N. Dinkins has put forth a New York City budget that would delay hiring more police officers and raise taxes by $550 million.

The United States national team will delay hiring a new coach until early next month, the United States Soccer Federation president, Alan Rothenberg, said yesterday.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service delayed hiring new border patrol agents for El Paso and San Diego.

Looking for Money On his third day in office last January, Mr. Dinkins delayed hiring more than 1,800 rookies because of unexpected revenue shortfalls.

On Wednesday, Mr. Dinkins said he would indefinitely delay hiring more than 1,800 police recruits due to start this month.

Budget officials said that to delay hiring 1,900 police officers would essentially leave the Police Department at its present patrol strength.

The city has already decided to delay hiring 300 firefighters until sometime next year, as part of the plan to save money.

But with the city's finances so weak that the Mayor had to delay hiring 1,800 police recruits, the proposal at least deserves a test.