9.2 Substance Abuse Testing Flashcards
What must supervisors ensure for a substance test to be effective?
Ensure that: • Reasonable suspicion is supported with documentation. • Sample is properly collected. • Chain of custody is maintained. • Employee’s rights are not violated.
Which departmental employees are obligated to notify a supervisor if they believe another employee is involved in substance abuse?
All departmental employees.
Does a supervisor’s foundation for reasonable suspicion have to be approved by a manager before obtaining a sample from an employee suspected of substance abuse?
Yes.
Does approval from a manager to obtain a sample from an employee suspected of substance abuse have to be in person, on-scene?
No. Approval can be obtained be telephone if the manager is not immediately available to be on-scene.
Can action be taken against an employee suspected of substance abuse without a sample being collected and analyzed?
No.
What major constitutional issues surround employee substance testing?
- Fourth Amendment – search and seizure
- Fifth Amendment – self-incrimination
- Fourteenth Amendment – due process.
What must exist so that the collection of an employee’s urine does not violate the Fourth Amendment?
Reasonable suspicion.
Does chemical testing of an employee’s breath, blood, or urine violate the Fifth Amendment?
No. Fifth Amendment applies to testimonial and communicative evidence, not chemical tests.
What precautions should the Department take to ensure that the Fourteenth Amendment is not violated during substance testing?
Employee should know the exact reasons for the Department’s action; consequences of a positive test result; action the Department will take if the employee refuses testing.
Where can the Department of Personnel Administration’s policy on substance abuse and testing be found?
Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations.
Does DPA substance abuse policy address on and off duty impairment?
No. Only on-duty impairment (includes employees on stand-by status).
What does stand-by mean in DPA policy?
Employee is designated on-call and must be available to respond to an incident within a specified period of time.
What is the DPA’s general policy on substance abuse?
No state employee who is on-duty or on stand-by shall:
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal or unauthorized drugs, or other mind-altering substances; or
• Use or be under the influence of alcohol to any extent that would impede the employee’s ability to perform duties safely and efficiently.
According to DPA policy, which employees are subject to substance testing?
Employees in sensitive positions when reasonable suspicion exists.
According to DPA policy, can an employee be subject to periodic testing as a condition of continued employment?
Yes.
What is the maximum period of testing for an employee subject to periodic substance testing?
One year.
When periodic testing is instituted as a condition of continued employment, what shall be prepared?
Stipulated settlement.
Can a stipulated settlement for periodic testing be offered to sworn personnel for the use of illegal drugs?
No.
What is the retention period for the stipulated settlement?
12 months beyond the termination date of the stipulated settlement.
Prescription drugs taken in excess of the amount prescribed would be considered what by DPA?
Unauthorized.
What happens when DPA rules and an MOU conflict?
The MOU is controlling.
Do DPA rules preclude employees for voluntarily submitting to a substance test after being involved in a significant incident?
No. Employees can voluntarily submit.
Does the Department pay for the expense of a voluntary substance test of an employee?
Yes.
When an employee is going to be voluntarily tested, what shall supervisors ensure?
The employee provides documentation, including a signature, to substantiate that the test is voluntary.
A supervisor should or shall initial and date the document indicating that the employee is voluntarily submitting to substance testing.
Should.
Regarding the document indicating that an employee has voluntarily submitted to substance testing, the original shall be maintained in the field folder for how long and a copy provide to whom?
12 months / the employee.
Is the odor of alcohol or marijuana on an employee’s breath or person sufficient to determine reasonable suspicion in ordering a drug test?
No. Odor shall not be the sole basis for determining reasonable suspicion. However, the employee may be required to take a breath test. Administrative action may be taken based on the results of that breath test.
Can information on an officer’s medical condition secured through a substance abuse test be used to order a fitness-for-duty test?
Yes. Provided the reasonable suspicion for the drug test was based on objective symptoms
How many samples shall be taken for a substance abuse test for Unit 5 employees?
2.
For Unit 7 employees, when shall the circumstances for which reasonable suspicion were based be given to the employee directed to submit to a substance abuse test?
Given to the employee orally at the time of testing; in writing within 72 hours of testing.
For Unit 7 employees, the circumstances for reasonable suspicion of substance abuse are documented on which form?
CHP 202.
For Unit 7 employees, what requirements are there for the person collecting the substance abuse sample from the employee?
Direct observation; trained person of same sex; cannot be employee’s direct supervisor or designee.
When shall copies of the substance abuse test results be given to the employee?
Within 3 working days of receipt of the results.
Unit 7 employees are required to have the results of the substance abuse test placed in their personnel file, regardless of the results.
False. Negative results shall not be placed in the personnel file unless the employee so requests.
When shall the DPA rules pertaining to drug testing and the substance abuse testing side letter be provided to new hires in Unit 7?
Within 3 weeks of employment.
Do appeals for drug testing results and adverse actions for Unit 7 employees go through the grievance / arbitration process of their contract.
No. Shall be through the State Personnel Board appeal process.
Are all classifications and positions in the Department subject to the requirements of substance testing?
No. Only those positions designated as “sensitive” by the DPA.
For the purposes of substance abuse testing, what is the definition of a sensitive position?
- All peace officers as defined in Section 830 PC
- Any other position in which drug and alcohol affected performance could clearly endanger the health and safety of others.
Who designates sensitive positions within the Department?
Commissioner with approval from DPA.