Verification of Xxxx Leave. The Chief of Police or the Board of Trustees may require evidence as to the adequacy of the reason for any member’s absence during the time for which sick leave is requested, including a medical certificate from a licensed practitioner verifying proper use of sick leave pursuant to the provisions hereof. However, a member shall be required to furnish a medical certificate upon such member’s return to work following an absence in excess of three (3) consecutive days. Additional certificates may be required by the Chief of Police in cases of prolonged illness or injury. Members shall be required in all cases to furnish a written, signed statement to justify the proper use of sick leave. Furthermore, the Chief of Police or designee may, at any time, call upon a member at such member’s home or other place of confinement or convalescence while the member is absent from work based upon a sick leave use. Notwithstanding the foregoing and regardless of any other provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that a member is suspected of abusing sick leave, the member may be required to obtain a medical certificate from a licensed practitioner designated by the Township. In addition, or in the alternative, the member may be required to obtain a satisfactory certificate from the member’s own doctor at the member’s own expense. These medical certificates may be required for the present absence, and, unless and/or until otherwise directed by the Chief of Police, all future absences for which sick leave is used. Grounds for suspicion of abuse shall include, but are not limited to, information received by the Township that the member is, or was, during any time (and not merely during what would have been the member’s duty hours) for which sick leave is claimed:
