On-the-job drug testing may be introduced for NT Police in 2016
NORTHERN Territory police may undergo on-the-job drug and alcohol testing this year
Northern Territory
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TERRITORY police may undergo on-the-job drug and alcohol testing this year.
Police Minister Peter Chandler said the CLP Government was preparing policy before legislation was introduced to Parliament.
Territory police is one of the only remaining forces in the country yet to implement drug and alcohol testing.
Mr Chandler said no details on the frequency of tests or the cost of the regimen were available.
Funds would be set aside in the 2016/17 financial year to pay for the framework.
Mr Chandler said officers who failed drug tests would face the same penalties as the public.
“Police officers are treated in exactly the same way as all other members of the public before the law, and will face the same punishments should they break the law,” he said.
“As members of the broader community, police officers are subject to exactly the same laws ... regularly stopped for random breath tests.”
The Government recognised the importance of drug and alcohol testing for police.
“Provided Parliament passes the necessary legislation, drug and alcohol testing for Northern Territory Police could begin in 2016.”
NT Police Association president Paul McCue said the association was yet to see any draft legislation.
The association wanted to play an integral part in forming the policy.
Mr McCue said the majority of Territory police supported internal drug and alcohol testing.
“While this association certainly doesn’t support anyone in the workplace affected by drugs and alcohol, it appears the Government might be jumping the gun,” he said.
“We would expect to be able to sit with the minister and senior police to discuss any legislation.”
He said there were concerns officers could be named before being found guilty of breaking the law.
“These are the type of protections we are talking about. Being affected by a drug, it may be a prescription drug, it may not necessarily be a prescription drug.”
Mr McCue said drugs were not viewed as an issue within the Territory police force.
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