PLAN TO DRUG TEST POLICE RECRUITS

POLICE recruits will undergo random drug-testing and their physical entry
requirements will be altered to help more women enter the force under new
recommendations announced yesterday.

The review also recommended a three-tiered exclusions policy with a life
ban on people convicted of serious offences, including sex and drug crimes,
and a five-year wait for less serious offenders.

And other applicants who had committed minor offences outside the five-year
limit - such as shoplifting - would not be automatically excluded.

The Police Education Advisory Council's (PEAC) Review of the Queensland
police's recruit and selection process was officially handed over to deputy
police commissioner Bill Aldrich yesterday.

The review, Police for the Future, involved 14 representatives from the
Criminal Justice Commission, police, community and is chaired by retired
judge, Mr Bill Carter, QC.

Mr Aldrich said the Queensland Police Service (QPS) had accepted the
review's recommendations, which would work towards recruiting the best
people possible with more stringent interview and vetting procedures.

The review also recommended that current physical competency test used for
selecting recruits be phased out by March next year and replaced by a
health screening process.

QPS human resources director David Gill said there had not been any
complaints about the tests but the police service was taking the initiative
to ensure the criteria did not discriminate against anyone.

He said the changes also were designed to lift the current intake of female
recruits from just under 40percent to 50percent.

"Our results show that in some areas of the test there is a higher failure
rate for women than men and that is not acceptable," he said.

The Queensland Police Union yesterday condemned the report, saying it was
"fit only for the rubbish bin".

President Gary Wilkinson, who said he had not yet fully read the report,
criticised any moves toward random drug and alcohol testing of recruits or
serving officers.

"What is the criteria for those legislating and administering the law who
on are on the higher end of the food chain than that of police officers -
who tests the CJC or the judges?" he said.

Mr Wilkinson also said no one with a criminal record should be allowed to
enter the police service and criticised the review for not being more
detailed in its criteria.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski