430 Memphis Officers Have Called in Sick This Month

Since June 30, 430 Memphis police officers have called in sick, a number that has grown by more than 100 since Sunday.

On Sunday, Memphis police officials announced that 308 had called in sick, a number that represented more than 13 percent of the department. That percentage has now grown to 18.9 percent of the department’s 2,280 officers.

Police Director Toney Armstrong confirmed Sunday that this is a work action, being called the “Blue Flu,” the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.

About 50 Shelby County Sheriff's deputies had to assist Memphis police Saturday night with Beale Street operations after the total grew to 181 officers off sick. At least eight deputies also assisted with Sunday operations on Beale.