New York City's jails commissioner says it's "disappointing" that hundreds of guards called in sick during a snow storm last month.
But Joseph Ponte told reporters following a public meeting Tuesday that historically it's not unusual for large numbers of correction officers to miss work during storms.
Chief of Department Martin Murphy told an oversight board that 419 officers called in sick Jan. 26 and another 780 called in sick Jan. 27.
Union boss Norman Seabrook denied any labor action.
He said many female officers had to stay home with their children when the city cancelled school. He said others couldn't commute when the subways were closed and road travel was banned.
Officials had warned of a historic storm but only about 8 inches fell in the city.
