CANADA URGED TO GIVE POLICE ACCESS TO LATEST TOOLS OF TRADE

Tools of the trade were showcased for law enforcement officials on
Tuesday, including some that are off limits for Canadian police
agencies because of national legislation.

A roadside saliva test that can test for drug use with a simple swipe
of the tongue or cheek was one of hundreds of law enforcement tools
on display at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Conference.

However, Canada has yet to join Germany, Finland, Switzerland and
some U.S. states by putting them into use on the streets.

The DrugWipe test, which works similar to a breath test for alcohol,
can detect cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine and opiates,
according to Securetec, the company that makes the tests.

"Within five minutes, they can test drivers at the roadside," said
Franz Aberl, a director with Securetec.

Officers collect a small saliva sample with one end of the stick in
the driver's tongue or cheek, then break off an ampoule to conduct the test.

However, the company is waiting for Canadian legislation that would
allow their product to be used on the street.

"We are ready to be used," Aberl said.

"There is a proposal for a revised criminal code in Canada . . . it
can go very quickly."

Last November, the Conservative government introduced a bill that
would allow roadside tests, such as checking blood pressure and
co-ordination to test drug-impaired drivers.

Drivers who fail the test could be forced to surrender urine, blood
or saliva samples.

Federal Justice Minister Vic Toews' office could not be reached for
comment on the status of the bill.

One organization that fights impaired driving wants to see the
roadside drug tests put to use.

"MADD Canada feels that roadside drug testing is going to play a
vital role in reducing the number of impaired driving deaths on our
highways," said Margaret Miller, who will take over as national
president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in September.

"The police need the power to stop vehicles and demand these tests if
they do suspect drug impaired driving.

"There are too many deaths on our highways and it needs to be stopped."

Another company waiting in the wings for legislation changes is
Cogent Systems, which produces fingerprint recognition devices, some
of which are small enough to be carried by officers on their belt.

While the company provides some of its products to the RCMP and
Montreal police department, the portable units are used mainly in the
United States.

"In Canada, the law doesn't allow an officer to take prints unless
they (the suspects) are charged," said Teresa Wu, a marketing manager
with Cogent.

"It would require a legislation change and it's up to Canada to adopt
that approach."

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Conference continues today.

Crime-Fighting Tools

Gadgets featured at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police conference:

- - Brief Relief Disposable Urinal Bags for officers during standoffs,
doing traffic detail or doing surveillance work.

- - Digital video system integrated into a flashlight by Digital Ally,
which works as a flashlight and records audio and video.

- - Stalker multi-direction radar capable of clocking traffic moving in
different directions and in multiple lanes.

- - Decatur Electronics radar video trailers for brightly displaying
speeds of traffic as a means of public education.