Police might be drug tested some day

[patric]

...at least in Oklahoma City.
FOP contract doesnt allow it in Tulsa.

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9433021

But the irony is that the drugs they are most likely to find wont be tested for.
Kind of like shooting blanks.  [B)]

[patric]

quote:

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9433021

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081130_12_0_OKLAHO590915

"At the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference this month in California, Phoenix police Cmdr. Kim Humphrey told the San Diego Union-Tribune illegal steroids are a growing problem among American police ranks."
http://newsok.com/steroids-not-on-police-radar/article/3326357

[TeeDub]

I would rather see them test recipients of public assistance.

edit:   You are right....   Why discriminate?   Test both.

[ARGUS]

Test'em.... and anyone on assistance too!

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by patric

...at least in Oklahoma City.
FOP contract doesnt allow it in Tulsa.

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9433021

But the irony is that the drugs they are most likely to find wont be tested for.
Kind of like shooting blanks.  [B)]

Doesn't allow for RANDOM testing.  Testing is allowed based on probably cause.

[cannon_fodder]

WHAT?

That's just stupid.

Bus drivers that work for the City of Tulsa are tested when hired then part of a random broad spectrum consortium.  Cab drivers too.  All CDL drivers have drug screening.

Cops drive just as much as any of those people.  But they have the right to do so at a high rate of speed.  They also have the right to carry and use a firearm.  

It would seem logical to me to drug screen the people in charge of enforcing the drug laws...  if for no other reason than the driving aspect of their job.

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

WHAT?

That's just stupid.

Bus drivers that work for the City of Tulsa are tested when hired then part of a random broad spectrum consortium.  Cab drivers too.  All CDL drivers have drug screening.

Cops drive just as much as any of those people.  But they have the right to do so at a high rate of speed.  They also have the right to carry and use a firearm.  

It would seem logical to me to drug screen the people in charge of enforcing the drug laws...  if for no other reason than the driving aspect of their job.

Not to nitpick, but CDL license holders don't have screenings unless it's part of a job recruitment.  Working for a business that handles a bunch of these, I know.  But you are correct that DOT regs dictate that ALL potential new drivers for any company requiring a CDL to operate their vehicles are not only required to have a drug screening, but prior drug screenings from any other driving jobs must be taken into consideration as part of the hiring process.

[Wilbur]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

WHAT?

That's just stupid.

Bus drivers that work for the City of Tulsa are tested when hired then part of a random broad spectrum consortium.  Cab drivers too.  All CDL drivers have drug screening.

Cops drive just as much as any of those people.  But they have the right to do so at a high rate of speed.  They also have the right to carry and use a firearm.  

It would seem logical to me to drug screen the people in charge of enforcing the drug laws...  if for no other reason than the driving aspect of their job.

Current employees and pre-hires are two different animals.  Everyone gets a drug test prior to being hired.  After that, it takes probably cause to get tested.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

WHAT?

That's just stupid.

Bus drivers that work for the City of Tulsa are tested when hired then part of a random broad spectrum consortium.  Cab drivers too.  All CDL drivers have drug screening.

Cops drive just as much as any of those people.  But they have the right to do so at a high rate of speed.  They also have the right to carry and use a firearm.  

It would seem logical to me to drug screen the people in charge of enforcing the drug laws...  if for no other reason than the driving aspect of their job.

Current employees and pre-hires are two different animals.  Everyone gets a drug test prior to being hired.  After that, it takes probably cause to get tested.

When was the last time you read that an officer involved in a shooting or use-of-force was being drug tested?
...and at that point, the damage is already done.

I would think that random testing of a city employee who reads your water meter would be nowhere as important as a city employee who could deprive you of life or liberty, but one obviously has a stronger union than the other.

[cannon_fodder]

Wilbur:

For cabbies, bus drivers, crane operators, and so on the screening is on going.  It is a matter of public safety and required by the DOT.  If you want to do anything involving a CDL or public machine operating (DOT jurisdiction) you must be part of a random drug screening consortium.  Also, every such employer has a pre-screen (insurance requirement).  

Police drive as much more or more than those people, they have a pass to do so at dangerously high speeds under stressful situations.  When they arrive they use force up to and including deadly force.  They enforce drug laws.

One would think they would be subject to at least as much scrutiny as a cab driver.  Not sure why it would be a big deal for them.  When you serve the public in such a manner laws would subjects themselves to higher scrutiny.  Not being on drugs is directly relevant to their job performance.

(not saying I imagine it is a big problem, but with ready access to drugs I am sure some officers fall into the trap.  a screening policy may help them avoid such a thing)

[MH2010]

I really don't know any officers that are against random drug screening.  

The problem the union has had with it is how it would be done.  The city wanted officers to have to go during the day (Monday - Friday), to city medical and give a urine sample.  The union was okay with that but not all officers work during the day.  So, the union asked if overtime would be given to those officers that were not at work but had their "number" called for lack of a better term and had to go to city medical off-duty.  The city said no.  The union then asked if their was an alternative site that officers could go while they were at work (not during 8-4). The city said no.  the city didn't want officers pulling up in their patrol cars in uniform and giving samples at other locations. The officers then asked if city medical personnel could come to us and then take the samples back.  The city said no.  

That is the problem with the union has with drug testing.

[cannon_fodder]

That makes more sense than a flat our refusal.

I would think someone could come up with a compromise.  I don't know enough about police schedules, but if they don't always work night shifts then work it around.  Or perhaps work something out with the ER of XYZ clinic that is open 24/7.

Seems like a minor obstacle.  Even if they are against paying overtime one would think a solution could be found.

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

That makes more sense than a flat our refusal.

I would think someone could come up with a compromise.  I don't know enough about police schedules, but if they don't always work night shifts then work it around.  Or perhaps work something out with the ER of XYZ clinic that is open 24/7.

Seems like a minor obstacle.  Even if they are against paying overtime one would think a solution could be found.

You would think something could be worked out.  However, lately all the city wants to talk about is how much time we work but not what kind of condition we're in while we work. Go figure.

Another thing people forget, is that officers depend on other officers for back-up and help.  I don't want a drugged out cop tasked with saving my life. I wanna go home at night.

[Wilbur]

I'm not opposed to random drug testing, as long as the Chief and the Mayor are in there goin' in that cup random too.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by Wilbur

I'm not opposed to random drug testing, as long as the Chief and the Mayor are in there goin' in that cup random too.

Which would be a fine example, but the point is they don't drive around all day in a company vehicle.