OFFICERS TO BE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTED

POLICE officers in Suffolk will face random drug and alcohol testing
within the next few weeks it emerged today.

The force has been working to introduce a substance misuse testing
programme for the past year and is now in the final stages of
agreeing who will administer the scheme.

Home Office guidelines indicated that forces nationwide had to have a
strategy for substance testing in place by January 1 and testing
should begin soon after.

Superintendent John Everett, head of professional standards for
Suffolk police, said: "We will be testing probationers (new
officers), and those in what are designated as safety critical posts,
things like response drivers, firearms officers and search officers.

"They can be tested for controlled drugs and those in safety critical
posts can also be tested for alcohol on a random basis."

Suffolk Police Authority set aside UKP10,000 of its budget for
2006/07 to implement testing of officers carrying out "critical
duties" in a bid to increase public protection and confidence in the force.

Supt Everett added: "It is a precautionary thing really but it is
also a welfare issue.

"If someone has a drug problem the primary thing is their welfare so
they should contact occupational health and seek the necessary health
and support."

Posters are currently being agreed with the Police Federation so the
force can advertise the testing programme.

The force has been able to test new recruits since 2003 but the
legislation has now been extended.

Anyone testing positive for controlled drugs will be subject to the
force's normal disciplinary procedures.

Supt Everett said an outside agency will conduct testing in Suffolk
and the force's human resources department is currently in the
process of reaching an agreement with those who will conduct the tests.