TEST OFFICERS FOR DRUGS BEFORE PROMOTION, REPORT SAYS

A report on corruption in Toronto's undercover police units is recommending
that officers submit to drug testing before being promoted into a high-risk
squad.

In a 95-page report, retired Ontario Superior Court judge George Ferguson
said testing prior to joining the drug squad, major crime unit, emergency
task force, internal affairs and other elite units was "not only
appropriate but essential."

Drug or alcohol addiction "has the very real potential to constitute the
slippery slope leading to corrupt practice," he said.

Police Chief Julian Fantino said drug testing raises some thorny issues,
but he will fully explore all of Mr. Ferguson's recommendations.

"I'm committed to looking at all these issues," he said. "We're taking
Justice Ferguson's recommendations very seriously and we intend to move
forward."

Mr. Ferguson's report contains 32 recommendations, which he presented to
the city's police board yesterday.

Toronto Police Union president Rick McIntosh said many of the
recommendations violated the collective agreement, and drug testing is
"absolutely [a] non-starter."

"No one else in this country has to submit themselves to drug testing," he
said. "Just because you put a uniform on doesn't mean you check your rights
at the door."

Mr. McIntosh also objected to Mr. Ferguson's recommendation that officers
undergo a psychological evaluation and background financial check before
promotion to high-risk squads.

"A lot of these recommendations go to the assumption that police officers
are breaking the law and we have concerns with that," Mr. McIntosh said.
"You're killing a flea with a sledgehammer."

Chief Fantino agreed the recommendations posed some problems, but pledged
to go ahead with the ones that are feasible.

The report, commissioned by Chief Fantino two years ago, comes just over a
month after the RCMP charged six former officers of a now disbanded Toronto
drug squad. Among the 40 charges are accusations of extortion, theft and
obstruction of justice.

Mr. McIntosh said Toronto residents still have confidence in the police:
"From my personal experience, the people I speak to haven't lost their
trust in the police."