August 13, 2025 | Discipline and Misconduct , Discipline
Request Number: FOI/14543
Category: Discipline, Complaints and Legal - Discipline
Subject: Substance misuse tests
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request 1
Please tell me, with reference to each of the last four financial years (21/22) (22/23) (23/24) and (24/25), the number of:
a) Substance misuse tests undertaken at random on your forces officers (not civilian staff).
b) Substance misuse tests administered with cause on your forces officers (not civilian staff)
c) Substance misuse tests given on a pre-employment basis to people applying to be a police officer with your force.
d) The number of positive tests to the number of tests undertaken in total for (a), (b) and (c).
Answer to Request 1 a) - d)
1 a)
2021 – Zero
2022 – 163 officers
2023 – 171 officers
2024 – 88 officers
2025 – 15 officers
1 b)
2021 – 9 (2 positive)
2022 – 11 (2 positive)
2023 – 29 (5 positive)
2024 – 2 (one positive)
2025 – Zero (did not include breath test as this was observed impairment).
1 c)
| Financial Year | Substance Misuse Tests (SMT) | SMTs Failed |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 536 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | 48 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 117 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | 411 | 3 |
1 d)
Answers contained in table above for 1 c) and in answer above to 1 b).
Request 2
Please break down 1d (the number of positive tests) by:
a) The drug detected (e.g. cannabis, cocaine).
b) The disciplinary measures resulting (e.g. final warning, dismissed, job offer withdrawn).
c) Whether the substance misuse test was given at random, with cause or on a pre-employment basis.
Note: For pre-employment tests, I do not require that you break down the number of positives by substance detected.
Answer to Request 2 a) - c)
2 a)
Cocaine x 5
Cannabis x 4
Steroids x 1
Ecstasy x 1
2 b)
Resigned – 1
Dismissed – 9
Final written warning – 1
2 c)
Random – 1
With cause – 10
Please Note
With respect to Request 2 c) above, all pre-employment substance misuse tests outlined within Request 1 c) and Request 1 d) would be on a pre-employment basis – random and with cause testing is only completed for serving police officers and police staff.