The purpose of this Substance Misuse Service Procedure is to deter substance misuse by all police officers, police staff and non police personnel working on behalf of Police Service of Northern Ireland through the introduction of a compulsory drug-testing regime.
What is Substance Misuse?
The inappropriate use of any legal substance or the use of any substance defined as illegal by statute.
What is the Police Service's Policy in regard to substance misuse?
Any instance of substance misuse by Police Service of Northern Ireland’s police officers, police staff and non police personnel working on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has the potential to impair judgement, which in turn has the potential to impact upon service delivery, public safety and the reputation of the Service. The purpose of the policy is to deter substance misuse by all police officers, police staff and non police personnel through the provision of education and support programmes and the introduction of a compulsory drug-testing regime.
What can be tested?
All prospective new appointments to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, both police officers and police. All student officers, probationer constables, serving police officers, police staff and non police personnel in roles designated as safety or security critical.
Type of testing
The Police Service of Northern Ireland carry out pre appointment testing, random testing, testing with cause and post incident testing.