ALBANY — Senate Republicans yesterday called for an investigation into the decision to assign more than 200 members of the State Police to protect Gov. Paterson — allegedly to make him “look more gubernatorial.”

The police union had earlier charged Patterson with diverting manpower from crime-fighting and, in so doing, “disregarding public safety.”

“This is another example of the governor’s having his priorities all wrong,” said Senate GOP spokesman John McArdle.

“[He] has to give a better reason for increasing spending on his own protection [while] urging cuts to education and other important programs.”

The Post reported yesterday that Thomas Mungeer, head of the New York State Police Benevolent Association, was among those accusing Paterson of “disregarding public safety” by doubling his security detail while slashing the overall force.

Police alleged that the Democratic governor believes a large security entourage “makes him look more gubernatorial.”