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multigraincracker

(34,068 posts)
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 12:42 PM Apr 2021

Are Cops Drug Tested?

No, in most departments. We need to let our elected officials, like Mayors and State Lawmakers know.



While policies can vary from state to state and department to department, generally speaking, police officers are only drug tested when applying to the force. Some jurisdictions require testing in a handful of special circumstances, like after discharging a weapon or being involved in a vehicle crash, but even those are inconsistent across the board.
No in most departments.
Time to write your Mayors and State Law Makers.

https://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2016/08/are-cops-drug-tested.html


Highlighting the illogic in having comprehensive drug-testing regimes for athletes, including penalties based on positive tests for both illegal and performance-affecting drugs, and the lack of similar testing for law enforcement officers, Shaun King of the New York Daily News points out:

More than almost any non-athletic profession in America, policing, particularly in the field, requires a serious level of focus, acuity, agility, coordination and fitness. Unlike athletes, police officers are armed and deputized to use lethal force whenever they feel it is required to do their job safely. Unlike athletes, police also face a heavily armed society. Drug use -- be it cocaine, marijuana, steroids, HGH or even alcohol -- could seriously impact an officer's performance.

Although the reasons for drug testing cops are different than those for testing athletes, they are arguably more compelling. King also links the high rate of steroid use among officers and the high rate of domestic violence involving police officers -- the highest among any profession.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Are Cops Drug Tested? (Original Post) multigraincracker Apr 2021 OP
No. Claire Oh Nette Apr 2021 #1
Lots of gym rats. multigraincracker Apr 2021 #2
Didn't even think about that... Claire Oh Nette Apr 2021 #5
They definitely should be after an event like yesterday, Chauvin, and hundreds more. Hoyt Apr 2021 #3
If they knew they would be tested every time they pull their gun out of the holster, multigraincracker Apr 2021 #4
I agree. But I'd bet money the Police Union would raise hell, although they don't have a lot of Hoyt Apr 2021 #6
POAs are gang enforcers, not a union. multigraincracker Apr 2021 #7
Just testing for steroids might get rid of the worst of the worst. -misanthroptimist Apr 2021 #8

Claire Oh Nette

(2,636 posts)
1. No.
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 12:48 PM
Apr 2021

In the city I grew up in, all the young ladies, out of high school, I think, were buddies with Reggie, one of the cops in town. Reggie and his roommate threw the best parties. He later married a friend from high school, and cheated on her with at least two other girls I knew.

Went to a few cop parties with a friend who was a cop groupie. Wasn't my gig. Cops had good weed, and plenty of alcohol for us at 18, 19, 20. There was one decent cop, but the rest seemed older versions of the bully-jock-assholes from high school.

YMMV

Claire Oh Nette

(2,636 posts)
5. Didn't even think about that...
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 01:04 PM
Apr 2021

Of course, steroids are white people drugs....

Why is it, do you suppose, MPs aren't shooting more Black soldiers?

multigraincracker

(34,068 posts)
4. If they knew they would be tested every time they pull their gun out of the holster,
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 01:00 PM
Apr 2021

deaths would go way down. Simple law to save lives,

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
6. I agree. But I'd bet money the Police Union would raise hell, although they don't have a lot of
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 01:04 PM
Apr 2021

leverage with recent problems.

-misanthroptimist

(1,193 posts)
8. Just testing for steroids might get rid of the worst of the worst.
Tue Apr 13, 2021, 02:35 PM
Apr 2021

No way all of those muscle-face cops are getting that way by working out in the gym. There's not enough time in the day for it in most cases.

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