Pubdate: Sat, 19 June 1999 Source: Times, The (UK) Copyright: 1999 Times Newspapers Ltd Contact: http://www.the-times.co.uk/ Author: Stewart Tendler, Crime Correspondent POLICE FACE RANDOM DRUG TESTS ALL police officers will face compulsory random drug testing under a programme being drawn up by chief constables. More than 2,000 recruits who join each year will also be screened for cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs. Tests are also planned for all officers wishing to join specialist squads such as firearms units, mobile patrols used for riot control and high speed pursuit drivers. Screenings will be based on urine tests. Serving officers discovered using drugs could be counselled, sacked or prosecuted. Recruits will automatically be thrown out. The package is being drawn up because chief constables recognise that they are recruiting from a generation where drug use is common. There has been a steady increase in cases involving officers buying and using drugs. The national programme has been drawn up by officials and officers working for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). It will be put to a council of the 43 chief constables in England and Wales later this year. Many of the country's larger forces already have plans to go ahead with drugs screening and police officials expect testing to be widespread by next year. In a Home Office report earlier this month, Colin Smith, an Inspector of Constabulary, called for general drug vetting of recruits and found there was "overwhelming" support for random drug testing throughout the service. There is likely to be opposition from some rank and file officers who object to the tests as an intrusion into privacy. London Transport and British Rail introduced testing in the early 1990s. Many City companies and dealing floors have instituted screening, as have large firms such as Texaco. Staff working in the nuclear industry at Dounreay are screened and the Army introduced testing in 1995, since when soldiers in elite forces, including the Life Guards, have been caught. The Army carried out 20,000 tests in 1997. The Prison Service has introduced tests for inmates but not for its 40,000 staff, and the Civil Service is not planning to bring in tests. The possibility of police tests was first raised by Keith Hellawell, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire and now the Government's drug czar. Two years ago he sent out guidance to forces on how to carry out tests Few chief constables took up the idea at the time but the Grampian force did start testing recruits and officers seeking promotion. A small number of tests have proved positive. Last year Merseyside Police began testing recruits in an experiment watched by other forces and will soon start testing officers seeking to join specialist units requiring a fitness test, such as firearms units. If they refuse they will be turned down. Greater Manchester Police is starting tests for recruits in September and will begin testing officers going into specialist squads. The Acpo plans were confirmed as the Police Superintendents' Association announced that it will campaign for random compulsory tests for all officers. Chief Superintendent Peter Gammon, chairman of the association, said they were pressing for testing not only of police officers but also civilians. The association's national executive will lobby Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, to introduce the tests as soon as possible. He said: "While there is no evidence of there being a drugs problem within the service, it would be complacent and unrealistic to assume that the service is totally drugs-free." - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck