DRUG TEST FOR COPS?

Judge Makes 32 Recommendations

A storm is already brewing over a recommendation that Toronto Police
officers should be forced to undergo drug testing before being promoted or
assigned to high-risk units like the drug squad. The mandatory drug test is
one of 32 recommendations proposed yesterday by retired Ontario Supreme
Court Judge George Ferguson, following a two-year investigation into
curbing misconduct in the police force.

"It's a non-starter," Toronto Police Association president Rick McIntosh
said of the possibility his officers will have to pee in a bottle to get a
promotion. "Just because you put a uniform on does not mean you check your
rights at the door."

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

McIntosh, however, called it an unmitigated disaster that has sapped the
New York force's morale.

Chief Julian Fantino said implementing the recommendations 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.

'Right Thing To Do'

"Doing nothing is not an option," Fantino said. "Whatever we move forward
on will be a quantum leap from where we've been.

"I see a number of things that we can do that are not only the right thing
to do, but are necessary," he said.

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.

"The service will be in charge of the informants," he said. "Rather than
the informants in charge of the service."

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 themself.

Ferguson called for the force's employment unit to be revamped and focus on
getting the best candidates, and keeping them.

He also called for more power and autonomy for the internal affairs unit.
Ferguson said that team needs to move out of headquarters and be given more
power to test an officer's integrity, although he rejected the use of
lie-detector tests.

Finest Force

Ferguson travelled across Canada, the U.S. and England to examine the law
and practices of those countries, as well as those in Australia and New
Zealand, and received 60 written submissions while compiling the report.

"When the recommendations are implemented, I believe it will be the finest
police service in the world," the judge said.