The average sick time taken by members of the Saint John Police Force has gone up one and a half times the amount from 5 years ago.
Police Chief John Bates says he isn’t surprised by the increase.
Bates calls it a reflection on staffing numbers, and the demands the force puts on their members.
He says more and more is being asked of the members with fewer people.
He says hiring four new officers will help, but it won’t impact overtime hours this year when you factor in training costs.
Bates says the police force is getting down to the “nitty-gritty”, in terms of hiring four new officers.
The average member of the police force took 9 sick days in 2015.
