Pubdate: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Kim Bradley, Toronto Sun DRUG, PSYCH TESTS FOR COPS Move Slammed For 'High-Risk Jobs' AS TORONTO'S top cop, Julian Fantino, prepares to leave his post in March, certain members within the service will start getting tested for drugs, psychological problems and undergo financial background checks. The controversial move, announced yesterday, was slammed by the Senior Officer's Organization and the Toronto Police Association. "Based on all available evidence, there is no justification for implementing these particular recommendations," police association president Dave Wilson said in a statement. "They are fundamentally unacceptable to our members and will be challenged by our association at entry level." Senior Officer's Organization president Bob Genno said while the association supports the idea behind the recommendations, it will not support the three announced yesterday. "However, we respect that it is the right and privilege of the service to put in place the policies and procedures it deems necessary or appropriate," he said. "We will not, therefore, attempt to block or challenge that action." Judge's Report A committee of the Police Services Board, Senior Officer's Organization and the Toronto Police Association was formed after Fantino asked Justice George Ferguson three years ago to review the service's practices in the wake of several police scandals. In January 2003, Ferguson came back with a report containing 32 recommendations, which he agreed to help implement at Fantino's request last April. The drug and psychological testing and financial background checks were a result of the report and committee talks held since April. "No one pretends that this step will go entirely smoothly, but such steps are rarely easy," Fantino said in a statement. "Undoubtedly there will be areas of disagreement, but I have no doubt that the real winners today are the people of the city of Toronto." The testing will be implemented March 1 and will only apply to officers in "defined high-risk jobs," Fantino said. What those positions may be was not explained. Pam McConnell, chairman of the Police Services Board, said the board is in full support of the testing, believing the action is "essential for protecting police officers and Torontonians alike." More details of the testing will be presented to the board at its next meeting Jan. 24. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth