Under the Chronic Absence Control Program, the Department monitors the number of days a uniformed member of the service reports sick.

Officers should be aware that a Chronic Absent designation can seriously limit an officer's ability to receive discretionary benefits and imposes other restrictions on officers. See Administrative Guide Procedure No. 318-13. For example, applications or recommendations for discretionary benefits, including promotion, extra compensation, designations, heightened assignments, off duty assignments and scholarships may be unfavorably viewed while a member is designated Chronic Absent. Moreover, when an officer is designated Chronic "B" Sick, he or she is not eligible for Administrative Sick Return (see Patrol Guide Procedure No. 205-01), must report sick to the Special Medical District and is not permitted to leave his or her residence without the express permission of the Special Medical District Surgeon.

An officer is designated Chronic "A" Sick if he or she reports sick for any reason, except for an initial line of duty absence or for hospitalization, four (4) or more times within a twelve (12) month period. The designation remains in effect for six (6) months from the date of return to duty following the last absence.

A officer is designated Chronic "B" Sick if he or she reports sick for any reason except for an initial line of duty absence or for hospitalization, six (6) or more times within a twelve (12) month period, or four (4) or more times within a twelve (12) month period and loses forty (40) or more workdays (not calendar days). The designation remains in effect for nine (9) months from the date of return to duty following the last absence.

Under either designation, subsequent sick reports, except for an initial line of duty absence or for hospitalization, will extend the designation period accordingly unless the designation is revoked on appeal.

If you believe that you were improperly designated Chronic Sick and would like to appeal a Chronic Sick designation, you must do so within thirty (30) days of the designation. Click here to view the appeal form.