PHOENIX -- Recent budget cuts have forced the Phoenix Police Department to delay the hiring of at least 250 police officers.

It did not, however, prevent Chief of Police Jack Harris from pocketing a $5,000 bonus last fiscal year, according to records obtained by CBS 5 News.

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Harris was one of nearly 140 managers with the city of Phoenix who received cash bonuses over and above their salaries, the records showed.

City Manager Frank Fairbanks defended the payouts by saying they were allotted for before the city got into serious financial trouble.

The bonuses covered fiscal year 2007-2008 and were paid out in October 2008. The city was already in the process of asking for across the board cuts because of the failing economy.

Other command level staff within the police department received bonuses.

In all, the city paid more than $23,000 to managers within the police department.