The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) investigates if a spike in officers calling in sick over the July 4th-holiday was part of a protest against the agency's budget slashing.

Los Angeles Times obtained an unsigned letter that reportedly went around the LAPD rank and filed last week, telling officers to call in sick to protect their interests.

"They succeeded in defunding the police; what do you think is next?" the letter read. It went on listing other possible things slashed from officers such as pay, benefits, and pensions.

The letter said the police have to send a message to the city that they are not "expendable," reported CBS Los Angeles.

Last week, the LAPD's budget was cut by $150 million, reducing the number of officers to a level that has never happened for more than a decade, reported Associated Press.

This budget slashing is amid demands nationwide for reforms in the police because of police brutality.

Officers might get charged with misconduct.

Now, LAPD heads are investigating if the unusual spike in officers who called in sick over the holiday weekend resulted from a planned protest, which would be illegal.

Up to 300 officers called in sick during the holiday. Many in the department think it was "Blue Flu."

It came on a weekend with a high number of homicides and shootings. There were also complaints of illegal fireworks all over the city on July 4.

Sources also told Times that everyone or nearly everyone in some anti-gang units called in sick at once.

Police chief Michel Moore said there might be other reasons officers called in sick for the holiday weekend like the rising COVID-19 cases in the force and the county. But he also said there are signs that some officers and police units called in sick as part of the alleged protest.

If it can be proven that some officers took part in such an effort, they will be guilty of misconduct, Moore said.

Chief Moore considers health concerns.

Tuesday, Moore is still talking to front-line supervisors like sergeants and lieutenants about what they know, including COVID-19 concerns of some officers.

Moore airs on the side of caution and asking to explore the possibility of health concerns instead of jumping to conclusions about the officers.

"We want to find the facts out before we start making sweeping judgments," he said.

Moore temporarily froze overtime pay, and since then, LAPD officers have called in absent for about 700 shifts in the transit system.

Major organized sick calls are not standard in the LAPD. The more common action is one where officers report for duty but are less proactive on purpose.

Activity Najee Ali said the effort might be a push on activists for the asking to defund the police. Ali said it should be a massive concern for top officials.

The LAPD has protocols for officers who report COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. Moore said this would help them find out how the virus affected reduced weekend staffing.

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