City Hall views as alarming, the fact that 41 members of the City Constabulary have chalked up 349 sick days in a single month.
The issue of absenteeism was among the many topics discussed, and which attracted serious attention at yesterday’s statutory meeting of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
Deputy Mayor Robert Williams said this compounds the already existing issue of inadequate constables to execute the Constabulary’s duties.
Mayor Hamilton Green has request that a proper investigation be launched into the matter by the Chief Constable in order to ascertain the authenticity of the sick reports among members of the Constabulary.
The Chief Constable told the councillors that as far as she was aware, the reported illnesses were all genuine. She was however told to conduct further investigations and present a report at the next statutory meeting.
In emphasising the need to recruit able-bodied individuals to carry out the duties and functions of city constables, the deputy mayor stressed that the image of any military or paramilitary organisation is always vital.