08-05 Substance Abuse

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

The Toronto Police Service (Service) would like to prevent the occurrence of substance abuse by its members. However, it is recognized that substance abuse problems do occur and need to be addressed responsibly by management and members.

Question 2

What is the Supervision?

Answer 2

• Supervisory Officer notification mandatory upon becoming aware of another member’s possible substance abuse problem and whenever that member’s behaviour creates a safety hazard to anyone

Question 3

Procedure

For the purposes of this Procedure, substance abuse refers to the use of

Answer 3

• alcohol
• cannabis
• other prescription, non prescription, or illegal drugs; or
• any other substance

in a manner that could have adverse effects on a member’s health, safety, productivity, quality of family life, or the morale and effectiveness of the Service.

Question 4

Members SHALL not engage in

Answer 4

• the illegal use or possession of any of the substances listed in Schedules I, II, III and IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• the use of any other substance, not named in the schedules of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to the extent that the said substance may have an adverse effect on the performance of their duties as a member of the Service
• the consumption of any alcoholic beverage or cannabis contrary to Service Governance

A Unit Commander or supervisor SHALL not become involved in diagnosing a member’s problem but will provide ongoing encouragement to help the member identify and resolve the problem.

Question 5

Member

1. When voluntarily seeking help for a substance abuse problem SHALL

Answer 5

• seek assistance from one or more of, but not limited to
  o Wellness – Medical Advisory Services (MAS),
  o peers,
  o referral agents,
  o supervisors,
  o the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), or
  o community-based services
• make every effort to resolve the problem

Question 6

Member

2. When directed to attend MAS for a fitness for duty assessment SHALL

Answer 6

• attend as directed
• comply with the recommendations of the Medical Advisor or designate

Question 7

Member

3. When on a leave of absence for a period longer than ninety (90) consecutive days SHALL, unless otherwise directed by the Chief of Police,

Answer 7

return to their Unit Commander all of their Service issued use of force equipment.

Question 8

Member

4. Upon becoming aware of another member’s possible substance abuse problem SHALL

Answer 8

• encourage the member to seek assistance voluntarily before work performance or safety is affected
• give immediate assistance, if required, and intervene by notifying a supervisor whenever a member’s behaviour creates a safety hazard for anyone
• follow up, if required, to provide the member with proper support and encouragement to resolve the problem

Question 9

Supervisor

5. When approached by a member who voluntarily seeks help for a substance abuse problem where work performance or safety is not affected SHALL

Answer 9

• advise the member of options available for assistance, including MAS and EFAP
• follow up, if required, to provide the member with appropriate support and encouragement to resolve the problem

Question 10

Supervisor

6. Upon becoming aware of a member who exhibits work performance concerns that may be related to substance abuse SHALL

Answer 10

• determine if there are any immediate fitness for duty or safety concerns
• discuss performance concerns and expectations with the member
• encourage the member to seek assistance, where appropriate
• advise the member of options available for assistance including MAS and EFAP
• follow up, if required, to provide the member with proper support and encouragement to resolve the problem
• provide heightened performance monitoring and management

Question 11

Supervisor

7. When in receipt of a TPS 649 and/or a MED 1 containing recommendations from MAS SHALL

Answer 11

• ensure compliance with the restrictions
• ensure the duties assigned to the member comply with the direction contained within
• report any deviation by the member to their Officer in Charge and their Unit Commander on a TPS 649

Question 12

Officer in Charge / Designate

8. When approached by a member who voluntarily seeks help for a substance abuse problem, where work performance or safety is not affected SHALL

Answer 12

comply with item 6.

6. Upon becoming aware of a member who exhibits work performance concerns that may be related to substance abuse shall
   * determine if there are any immediate fitness for duty or safety concerns
   * discuss performance concerns and expectations with the member
   * encourage the member to seek assistance, where appropriate
   * advise the member of options available for assistance including MAS and EFAP
   * follow up, if required, to provide the member with proper support and encouragement to resolve the problem
   * provide heightened performance monitoring and management

Question 13

Officer in Charge / Designate

9. When it is determined that there is fitness for duty or safety concerns SHALL

Answer 13

• ensure the member is given immediate medical treatment, if required
• immediately notify the Unit Commander of the circumstances on a TPS 649

Question 14

Officer in Charge / Designate

10. When observing that a member is unfit for duty SHALL

Answer 14

• ensure the member is given immediate medical treatment, if required
• commence an immediate investigation
• initiate the appropriate action depending on the circumstances (e.g. documentation, charges, suspension, etc.)

Question 15

Officer in Charge / Designate

11. When in receipt of a TPS 649 and/or a MED 1 containing recommendations from MAS SHALL

Answer 15

• follow up with the member to ensure compliance
• give a copy to the member’s immediate supervisor

Question 16

Officer in Charge / Designate

12. When directed to retrieve Service issued uniform and equipment which a member has surrendered and/or returned SHALL

Answer 16

• store memorandum books
• forward the eToken, when applicable
  o via internal mail to the attention of “Token Administration, 5th Floor, IOSS” for Units within Headquarters, or
  o retain token in the spare pool for reconfiguration and use by another member for Units outside of Headquarters
• return to the Toronto Police College – Armament Section all Service issued use of force equipment, when applicable
• deliver any applicable Service issued uniform and equipment to Fleet and Materials Management (FLT)