Mandatory and Random Drug Testing in the Honolulu Police Department

• NCJ Number: 117718
• Author(s): B Webster; J G Brown
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From the National Institute of Justice Research in Action, October 1989.

Annotation

The Honolulu Police Department provides drug testing for three groups of officers; two groups are subject to frequent or periodic mandatory testing, and the third and largest group is composed of tenured officers who may be randomly tested.

Abstract

Personnel with direct responsibilities for drug testing comprise "mandatory test level A." Members of this group are required to submit to testing regularly. Included are all officers assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit, the personnel officer, and the assistant personnel officer. The decision to test this group is made by the deputy chief of police. Officers in "mandatory test level B" consist of officers on initial probationary status, officers directly involved in the investigation or authorized handling of illegal drugs, helicopter pilots and observers, canine handlers, bomb team members, special weapons and tactics team members, and regular officers with a first confirmed positive test result. The random testing group consists of all officers not in a mandatory test group. The drug testing program was developed in cooperation with the police union, and the program affords officers an opportunity for treatment after a first positive urine test. Recommendations are offered for police agencies considering a drug testing program. 4 notes.