POLICE SLAM DRUG TEST

Forced Exams On Officers 'Ludicrous'

Forcing high-risk police officers to urinate into a cup is a ludicrous
violation of human rights, says the head of Calgary's cop association.
Sgt. Al Koenig says a recommendation that Toronto police officers be
forced to undergo drug testing before being promoted or assigned to
high-risk units like the drug squad is ridiculous and would never fly
in Calgary.

"Police officers have the same rights as every other citizen in
Canada," he said.

"To say they have to undergo mandatory drug testing when they show up
at work just flies in the face of logic."

The mandatory drug test is one of 32 recommendations proposed last
week by retired Ontario Supreme Court Judge, George Ferguson,
following a two-year investigation into curbing misconduct in
Toronto's police force.

"Our job is tough enough trying to impose the laws that we've got, so
to impose mandatory drug testing would make it easier to test our
officers than it would for our officers to charge somebody with
impaired driving," said Koenig.

"That just seems ludicrous to me."

New York City cops are tested for drugs, and Ferguson said the system
appeared to be effective and fair.

Toronto police chief Julian Fantino said implementing the
recommendations within his force as soon as possible -- some are
already in place -- is a priority, but there will obviously be some
roadblocks, from the union and a lack of money.

Fantino ordered Ferguson's investigation at the same time he initiated
an RCMP probe into allegations drug squad officers stole cash and
drugs from dealers.

Six officers were charged criminally last month.

The force also hopes the report will serve to help the fight against
perceived or actual corruption in the police service and to restore
public confidence.

Ferguson's report calls for a complete overhaul of the way
confidential informants are treated, basing the new technique on a
system in place in England.

The plan would prevent officers from "entering into unhealthy
relationships with information sources," he said.

Among other advice from Ferguson is that the police should inform the
Crown, when requested, if an officer who is testifying in a court case
is in trouble.