NCJ Number
129959
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1991) Pages: 32-35
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The random drug testing of police officers is increasingly being established in police agencies in the United States, with some programs supported by rank and file police officers and others experiencing strong opposition and legal challenges.
Abstract
These programs raise moral, ethical, and constitutional questions, because they represent testing without suspicion of wrongdoing. The main argument for a program is that it ensures that each police officer's partner is drug free. However, officers have filed lawsuits against drug testing programs, based mainly on fourth amendment arguments related to search and seizure. Lawsuits have also focused on the 5th and 14th amendments, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Federal and State handicap laws, and State constitutions. The Miami Police Department uses a 2-step screening process involving confirmation tests for positive screening results. A process is also in place for notifying the officers to be tested. The department contracts with a private local laboratory and uses urine testing. In Boston, police officers have challenged the constitutionality of the process. Nevertheless, random testing is increasing throughout the nation and is being requested by many police offices. Photograph