Portland Cops Don’t Want Their Privacy Violated; Don’t Want to Submit to Drug Testing
police barricade downtown sw portland In negotiations with the Portland Police Association, city of Portland officials have proposed that police officers agree to submit to drug testing under the terms of their new contract with the city. The drug tests that the city proposes would be required after the use of deadly force, in-custody deaths and serious traffic crashes, and also randomly. Additionally, the proposal would broaden the current range of drugs for which tests are done, including steroids, and would enforce stricter penalties for violations.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams and former Portland Police Bureau commissioner Dan Saltzman have both supported random drug tests. “We must ensure that an officer’s decision-making thought process including whether or not to use lethal force is not clouded by drugs,” Adams said.
Understandably, the cops don’t want to be drug tested. Portland Police Association attorney Will Aitchison said the random testing proposal would violate the officers’ right to privacy. Currently drug testing is allowed if there is “reasonable suspicion.” Aitchinson said that any tests beyond that would be unlawful search and seizures.
police barricade downtown sw portland In negotiations with the Portland Police Association, city of Portland officials have proposed that police officers agree to submit to drug testing under the terms of their new contract with the city. The drug tests that the city proposes would be required after the use of deadly force, in-custody deaths and serious traffic crashes, and also randomly. Additionally, the proposal would broaden the current range of drugs for which tests are done, including steroids, and would enforce stricter penalties for violations.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams and former Portland Police Bureau commissioner Dan Saltzman have both supported random drug tests. “We must ensure that an officer’s decision-making thought process including whether or not to use lethal force is not clouded by drugs,” Adams said.
Understandably, the cops don’t want to be drug tested. Portland Police Association attorney Will Aitchison said the random testing proposal would violate the officers’ right to privacy. Currently drug testing is allowed if there is “reasonable suspicion.” Aitchinson said that any tests beyond that would be unlawful search and seizures.