'Blue Flu' For Some Detroit Cops?

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police officers in one part of the city have come down with the "blue" flu.

Fox 2 News reports that 21 out of 26 police officers at the Northeast district went home sick Friday evening. Reportedly, one by one, the officers who were supposed to be on duty went home sick.

It's believed the officers are responding to the recent demand by Mayor Dave Bing that Detroit Police officers take a ten-percent wage cut.

To deal with the shortage, Detroit Police may be bringing in officers from tactical units, special-ops and the gang squad.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee released a statement on the officers' actions.

"The Northeastern District has had approximately sixteen officers that did not complete their respective tour of duty for the 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. shift.

The timing of such has caused the issue to be investigated by Detroit Police Internal Affairs. Preliminary information leads me to believe this is a concerted effort isolated to one shift at one District.

Resources have been redeployed to plug the gap left in this shift and all operations are normal.

I will provide a more detailed media briefing relative to Internal Affairs preliminary findings on Monday."