Substance Misuse Testing
Please refer to Substance Misuse and Alcohol Testing Service Instruction SI3017
Information for Candidates
The PSNI has a statutory requirement to provide safe systems of working and as its employees engage in high-risk activities, there is a greater risk of the misuse of substances impairing judgement, impacting upon service delivery, public safety and the reputation of the PSNI.
Individuals
Every individual has a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others; and co-operate with PSNI’s requirements regarding health and safety.
- You will be required to undergo a pre-employment Substance Misuse Test.
- You will be required to attend a Substance Misuse Re-Test after 12 months of your initial result, if at that stage you have not been appointed.
The biological material to be sampled as part of the pre-employment process will usually be hair. You will be expected to provide two samples of hair of 3cm in length and containing at least 50-100 strands of hair per sample. This will primarily be taken from your head, however, on occasion armpit, back, leg, arm or chest hair may be used.
If you have any concerns regarding provision of three centimetres of hair, or have medical or religious reasons that would prevent you from completing the test, contact should be made immediately with [email protected] explaining the reasons why you are unable to provide a sample.
If necessary you will also be required to provide medical evidence as to why you may be unable to provide a sample. If you are on any prescribed medication, you should bring proof of prescription to your pre-employment test.
Deliberately attempting to obstruct the process will be treated as failing the test, and no re-test will be provided in these circumstances.
If you attend your appointment and have insufficient hair for your pre-employment test to be completed and you have not contacted the Substance Misuse Manager prior to your appointment, you will not be tested.
A new test will not be offered until such times as you are able to provide a sample.
Confirmed Positive Results
If you have a confirmed positive result you will be written to by PSNI. You will have 7 calendar days to notify PSNI that you wish to have your retained second sample analysed by an independent laboratory.
If so, this is done at your instruction and expense and you should also identify the laboratory you wish to be used and arrange same. A list of accredited UKAS laboratories will be supplied to you on confirmation of your positive result.
Negative Result of Second Sample
Where analysis of your second sample results in a negative result, a further hair test will be arranged. Should this return a negative result, the initial positive result will be regarded as a false positive.
Where a false positive is recorded, the PSNI will reimburse any costs associated with analysis of the second sample.
Positive Result of Second Sample
If the analysis of the second sample is positive you will not be offered appointment with the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
You will have no further right of appeal and any offer of appointment will be rescinded