Washington legislation would test police for drugs

Washington legislation would test police for drugs

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Residents of cities and counties could vote to randomly test police officers for drugs under legislation proposed by Rep. Charles Ross of Naches (na-CHEEZ').

He told The Yakima Herald-Republic most people he talks to support the idea. A similar bill died in last year's Legislature.

Random drug testing is opposed by police unions. The incoming president of the Yakima Police Patrolmans Association, Det. Mike Nielsen, says officers want to maintain their constitutional protection from unwarranted invasion of privacy.

The city of Yakima and the police union took the issue to arbitration in 2007, and the arbitrator ruled the city could not impose random drug testing.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_xgr_testing_police.html

It seems to me if the community is going to pay a guy carry a gun around the least they can do is drug test him. Maybe a little psychological testing first wouldn't be a bad idea either.

People whose jobs can have an impact on public safety are the only ones where I can really see a valid reason for mandatory drug testing ,and police officers need to be tops on that list.

Defending their right to privacy is massive hypocrisy,it's another case of the blue wall protecting their own.

You won't get an argument from me. Then again, I think most psychologists are quacks and true psychopaths test well....

I worked in the office of a construction company that did because it was a safety issue for people operating heavy machinery. I'd say driving a police cruiser at high speeds and carrying weapons are also safety issues that warrant drug testing.

:popcorn:

...Congress, many police leaders, judges, etc, get their panties in a bunch when someone suggests they piss in a cup.

If a DEA Agent confiscates a bunch of cash and puts a bunch of Cocaine up his nose.. has a crime really been committed?