(a) The employee, while absent on sick pay, must notify the Police Department under agreed practices. When he or she is recuperating from surgery or some other major medical condition, and is advised by his physician that a change of location would hasten his or her recovery, he or she may do so with the approval of the office of the Chief of Police. The employee then shall be allowed, under these conditions, to continue to receive sick pay benefits.
(b) When an employee is off sick for five (5) consecutive work days, they shall immediately submit a statement of attending physician substantiating the illness. If the employee remains off work past the time allowed on the initial statement of attending physician, they shall submit additional statements of attending physician as required by the City.
(c) The City reserves the right to investigate the use of sick time. An employee found guilty of abusing sick pay benefit provisions thereto set forth or whose reasons for absence are falsified, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.