NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton says it's hard to hire black cops because too many have criminal histories

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-tough-time-hiring-black-cops-bill-bratton-article-1.2252202

A criminal record should not disqualify someone form becoming a cop, should it? I mean it takes a thief to catch a thief, right? So what would be the potential problem if the NYPD hired ex-convicts? If 15% to 20% of  black males has a criminal record, does that really prevent the NYPD from finding enough qualified and interested blacks to become cops? What about black women? Is the NYPD Commissioner just making excuses? How would Tom Seleck handle this?