NSW POLICE DRUG AMNESTY UNDER REVIEW

A drug amnesty for the New South Wales police force is under review, Police
Commissioner Ken Moroney has said.

Under the amnesty, police officers who have come forward to say that they
have used illegal drugs, are treated by rehabilitation counsellors.

Since it was introduced eight years ago, 23 officers have spoken up.

Speaking at the end of a Police Integrity Commission (PIC) inquiry into
drug use by police, Commissioner Moroney said that the value of the amnesty
in motivating police to disclose their drug use has to be questioned.

"I've not proposed any particular mode in terms of the amnesty," he said.

"What I'm simply doing is putting the amnesty on the table in light of the
evidence before this commission in this inquiry. It's an issue that needs
discussion."

Commissioner Moroney has also proposed widening the service's drug-testing
regime to include prospective recruits, trainees at the police academy, and
civilians who work in operational areas.