Command/HQ

'Disproportionate Number' of Ala. City's Police Officers Out Sick

March 23, 2022

Birmingham police precincts remained "adequately staffed" despite the call offs, and the city's FOP president said his group didn't condone "blue flu" absences and urged officers to report for duty.

By Howard Koplowitz

Source al.com

Birmingham Police Dept Suv Cruiser Al 623b19d537b7f

A “disproportionate number” of Birmingham police officers called in sick on Tuesday, but the interim chief of the department said precincts in the city are “adequately staffed.”

Birmingham Fraternal Order of Police President Otis Luke, who told AL.com that a “disproportionate number of officers are not feeling well and have called in sick,” did not quantify the number of officers who were out Tuesday.

But Luke said the organization “does not condone any type of ‘blue flu’ or sick out and we are encouraging officers if they are able, to report to work.”

Luke noted that he was off on Tuesday because his wife is sick, but was considering pitching in and helping field calls Tuesday night.

Birmingham Acting Police Chief Scott Thurmond said the department was capable of handling the situation.

“All Birmingham Police Department precincts are adequately staffed to efficiently answer calls and provide quality services for the City of Birmingham,” Thurmond said in a statement.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin referred comment to the department.

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