Police personnel have been put on notice that "effective immediately all days off and annual leave are canceled."
Franz A. Christian Sr., commissioner of Police, explained in a statement Saturday the action was necessary due to "an apparent job action or 'blue flu' by members of the Police Benevolent Association and the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union."
There has been a series of job actions and sickouts by teachers, firemen and police in the territory following reports recently of salary increases and promotions in some parts of the government.
Civilian police workers on St. Croix stopped work Friday to draw attention to the conditions at the V.I. Police Department’s Patrick Sweeney Headquarters. The building has no running water or air conditioning and is plagued with rodents, according to Frederick Joseph, president of the United Steelworkers Union.
Christian said anyone wishing to make a police report should go to the Ann Schrader Command in the La Reine Shopping Center, the Wilbur Francis Command on Custom House Street in Frederiksted or the Patrick Sweeney Headquarters at Golden Grove.
He has sent personnel from the commissioner's office and the chief's office to the zone offices to "ensure adequate police presence and service to the community."