POLICE FACE RANDOM DRUG TESTS

ALL police officers will face compulsory random drug testing under a
programme being drawn up by chief constables. More than 2,000 recruits who
join each year will also be screened for cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other
illegal drugs.

Tests are also planned for all officers wishing to join specialist squads
such as firearms units, mobile patrols used for riot control and high speed
pursuit drivers.

Screenings will be based on urine tests. Serving officers discovered using
drugs could be counselled, sacked or prosecuted. Recruits will automatically
be thrown out.

The package is being drawn up because chief constables recognise that they
are recruiting from a generation where drug use is common. There has been a
steady increase in cases involving officers buying and using drugs.

The national programme has been drawn up by officials and officers working
for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). It will be put to a
council of the 43 chief constables in England and Wales later this year.
Many of the country's larger forces already have plans to go ahead with
drugs screening and police officials expect testing to be widespread by next
year.

In a Home Office report earlier this month, Colin Smith, an Inspector of
Constabulary, called for general drug vetting of recruits and found there
was "overwhelming" support for random drug testing throughout the service.

There is likely to be opposition from some rank and file officers who object
to the tests as an intrusion into privacy.

London Transport and British Rail introduced testing in the early 1990s.
Many City companies and dealing floors have instituted screening, as have
large firms such as Texaco. Staff working in the nuclear industry at
Dounreay are screened and the Army introduced testing in 1995, since when
soldiers in elite forces, including the Life Guards, have been caught. The
Army carried out 20,000 tests in 1997.

The Prison Service has introduced tests for inmates but not for its 40,000
staff, and the Civil Service is not planning to bring in tests.

The possibility of police tests was first raised by Keith Hellawell, Chief
Constable of West Yorkshire and now the Government's drug czar. Two years
ago he sent out guidance to forces on how to carry out tests

Few chief constables took up the idea at the time but the Grampian force did
start testing recruits and officers seeking promotion. A small number of
tests have proved positive.

Last year Merseyside Police began testing recruits in an experiment watched
by other forces and will soon start testing officers seeking to join
specialist units requiring a fitness test, such as firearms units. If they
refuse they will be turned down.

Greater Manchester Police is starting tests for recruits in September and
will begin testing officers going into specialist squads.

The Acpo plans were confirmed as the Police Superintendents' Association
announced that it will campaign for random compulsory tests for all
officers. Chief Superintendent Peter Gammon, chairman of the

association, said they were pressing for testing not only of police officers
but also civilians. The association's national executive will lobby Jack
Straw, the Home Secretary, to introduce the tests as soon as possible.

He said: "While there is no evidence of there being a drugs problem within
the service, it would be complacent and unrealistic to assume that the
service is totally drugs-free."