NCJ Number
105538
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1987) Pages: 16-21
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Constitutional issues require that urine testing for drug consumption among police officers be reasonable in its execution, conducted fairly, accurate in test results, and properly used in an employment decision.
Abstract
Four problem areas in the reasonable execution of urinalysis drug testing are obtaining a urine sample, dealing with an officer's inability to provide a sample, providing notice of the testing program, and assuring anonymity for subjects. The obtaining of the sample should not unduly intrude on the privacy of the subject but also ensure testing integrity. This can be done by allowing officers to provide specimens without observers in a room free of potential contaminants and on short notice so as to prevent sample substitutions. Subjects' inability to provide a sample can usually be avoided by requesting the sample at the beginning of the shift, making it likely that a sample can be obtained before the shift is over. General notice of the drug testing program should not hamper its effectiveness and will probably deter drug use. Primary considerations in ensuring compliance with due process requirements are the chain of custody of the sample, reliable test methods that include confirmation of positive tests, appropriate channels and procedures for explaining and contesting positive tests, and appropriate and consistent sanctions for detected drug abuse. 21 footnotes.