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Tuesday morning nearly 25 percent of the 2,218 officers employed by the Memphis Police Department were reportedly at home, participating in a work stoppage known as the Blue Flu, reports the Commercial Appeal.
Since June 30, the number of officers out sick has grown drastically from 71 officers out to the current 552, which accounts for 24.8 of the police force, according to Memphis police spokeswoman Sgt. Karen Rudolph.
City and police officials recognized the absences Sunday afternoon as a work action in protest of cuts to city employee health care subsidies for most retirees and a 24 percent rise in premiums for past and present employees.
Monday night Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said all officers will have to produce a doctor's note upon returning to work and the administration will deal with each of the officers individually.
