Drug, alcohol tests for police

[WantDaChronic]

THE Victorian government has paved the way for the state's police to be routinely tested for alcohol and illicit drugs.

 

Police Minister Bob Cameron today announced he would introduce legislation into parliament for a drug and alcohol testing regime for police.

 

The Police Regulation Amendment Bill 2007 provides legislative power for Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon to direct officers to undergo drug and alcohol testing, Mr Cameron said.

 

"It is vital that police members and the community have faith in the highest ethical and professional standards of Victoria Police," Mr Cameron said today.

 

"The legislation gives the chief commissioner the powers to introduce a welfare based testing and treatment regime and will also give broader powers for critical incident and targeted testing," he said.

 

Under the legislation, testing may be carried out in situations where an officer reports for duty and the chief commissioner believes they are affected by drugs or alcohol, Mr Cameron said.

 

"We recognise some individuals may be struggling with an addiction and want them to come forward and receive treatment, but we also want to ensure the safety of other police and the community."

 

Officers will also be subjected to testing if they are involved in a critical incident, such as a shooting, and in any other circumstance where the chief commissioner believes it is necessary.

 

Under the legislation, officers will not be able to be forcibly tested.

 

But Mr Cameron said a failure to comply may lead to disciplinary action.

 

The legislation was expected to be introduced by the end of the year.

 

Police Association secretary Paul Mullett welcomed the move but said the laws could have been introduced five years ago.

 

"The chief commissioner could have had these sweeping new powers back in 2002," Mr Mullett told Southern Cross Broadcasting.

 

"Regrettably the Victorian police force was a bit tardy in not seeking the relative legislative amendments to support the framework that we negotiated with the chief commissioner arising out of our round of (enterprise) bargaining back in 2001," he said.

 

"We agreed, the chief commissioner signed off on it."

Source: www.news.com.au

[Frazz]

What a joke these 'tests' can ONLY be carried out with the individual police officers' consent ... its pretty well known that the Victorian Police Association has way too much power to ever allow the random testing of any of their members ...

 

[WantDaChronic]

its pretty well known that the Victorian Police Association has way too much power to ever allow the random testing of any of their members ...

that doesnt suprise me one bit, but if they refuse a test according to that news article they can be punished on the bright side of things though it could set a precident or what ever it is where we can refuse to take the tests on the basis that the police who are not meant to be above the law have also refused the tests

[Frazz]

Yep you've gotta point WDC but the kind of punishment the coppers get for refusing a test is ' Righto sergent no morning tea for you for the next week'!! .. but for us we prolly get six months for refusing ... an i wonder who does the testing

the Victorian Police Assoc is so powerful it negoitiates with no less than the Premier of the state ... you know .. right over the police Commisioners head! .. they have the Government of the day by the balls when it comes to negotiating the working conditions of their members ...

 

in practice i think this law would mean police could be tested for drug-alcohol use after critical incidents such as shootings or car chases-crashes, but then is too late.. the testing should be done at ramdom and before the cop starts their shift

its too late to test a copper after someone has been injured or killed ..

 

[bufo marinus]

Officers will also be subjected to testing if they are involved in a critical incident, such as a shooting, and in any other circumstance where the chief commissioner believes it is necessary.

 

Under the legislation, officers will not be able to be forcibly tested.

 

But Mr Cameron said a failure to comply may lead to disciplinary action.

 

Try refusing a fucking drug test with ANY OTHER employer and see how far you get

[humphrey b flaubert]

That 'fat traffic cop' Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon has said there is no need to test officers, I think she's a bit worried about how many would test positive

They should be breath tested before they start their shifts and again once they have finished, I've heard some stories about how much some cops drink when their 'out on patrol'

[Indycar]

I'll be surprised if it ever gets off the ground...

 

The Police Unions etc have too much power 'n would never allow it happen to their members.

 

Watch this one disappear off the radar...

 

[67Special]

"The legislation gives the chief commissioner the powers to introduce a welfare based testing and treatment regime and will also give broader powers for critical incident and targeted testing," he said.

This absolute bullshit, to say that it's ok to test welfare recipients, but give cops the right to refuse tests

 

Police who carry arms should have been the first employees in the country to submit to forced random drug tests.