NSW Police testing positive to drugs and alcohol while on duty continues to rise
THE number of cops who test positive for drug and alcohol while on duty has more than doubled in the past year with 28 officers caught failing tests.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE number of cops who test positive for drug and alcohol while on duty has more than doubled in the past year with 28 officers caught failing tests.
New figures obtained by The Saturday Telegraph reveal 13 police officers and police students failed drug tests in 2016-2017 — up from just four the previous year. The number of police and police students failing alcohol tests also rose, with 15 police officers and students failing tests — up from eight for 2015-16.
According to the NSW Police annual report, 5759 officers and students underwent random drug testing, as well as a whopping 13,723 who were tested for alcohol while on the job.
There were 14 targeted tests for drugs, from which nine officers and students returned positive ratings. For alcohol there were seven targeted tests, from which four returned positive results.
However, the report also showed the number of complaints against police has fallen in the last year from 9050 to 7801.
Police chiefs said while the numbers were “minute” they vowed to continue to clamp down on officers who take drugs and drink on duty.
MORE: SA COPS TO BE DRUG, ALCOHOL TESTED AFTER DEAL
MORE: POLICE TO TEST FOR DRUGS, ALCOHOL ON WATERWAYS
A spokesman said: “The NSW Police Force has a long-established policy of drug and alcohol testing sworn officers.
“While there is a minute number of officers testing positive to illegal drugs each year, the NSW Police Force is committed to holding these officers accountable to the high standards the community expects from law enforcement. Similarly, police will take appropriate action against the minuscule number of police who test positive to alcohol while on duty.”