Drug & Alcohol Policy

Question 0

Drug & alcohol policy

What are NSWPF employees expected to do every shift

Answer 0

Present operationally fit for duty and remain free of impairment from drug and alcohol

Question 1

What does the drug and alcohol policy seek to do

Answer 1

Promote personal responsibility in relation to consumption of alcohol
Prohibited the use of drugs
Prohibited use of anabolic steroids unless prescribed
Promote responsible use of prescription medication

Question 2

What police regulation defines conduct in Relation to the drug and alcohol policy

Answer 2

Police regulation 2008 part 5 division 2.

Employees must not attend, remain or partake in any police duties of they are under the effect of alcohol, drug or prescribed medication

Question 3

What is the process if you believe a civilian is impaired by alcohol

Answer 3

A qualified police BAS operator is to make an assessment and may direct the employee to leave the work place for a period of time. Disciplinary action may result.

Question 4

Can you drink on police premises

Answer 4

No, staff must not be impaired by alcohol no matter the duty type.
Must not consume alcohol on or off duty on police premises with out the prior written approval of commander.

Question 5

Can you wear uniform whilst consuming alcohol.

Answer 5

No, you must not consume alcohol wearing any part of the uniform that is easily recognisable

Question 6

What level of blood alcohol is the threshold for random breath testing of staff

Answer 6

.02

Question 7

If prescribed steroids what must you do

Answer 7

If asked you must produce written documentation from a qualified medical practitioner authorising its use.

Question 8

When can a drug test be for anabolic steroids.

Answer 8

It can only be done under a targeted drug test

Question 9

How long after concluding employment are support services available to staff under the drug and alcohol policy

Answer 9

6 months, contacted through EAP 24 hrs a day

Question 10

What must a commander have to organise a targeted alcohol breath test.

Answer 10

A commander or manager can direct that a police officer be breath tested. If a commander has a reasonable cause to believe the officer is under the influence of alcohol on duty.

Question 11

How does a commander organise a targeted drug test including steroids.

Answer 11

The command must organise through the drug & alcohol testing unit

Question 12

What legislation relates to recall to duty targeted drug test.

Answer 12

Part 12 section 211A (4E) police act.

Question 13

What is the process for a recall to duty targeted drug test.

Answer 13

Approval from assistant commissioner or above prior to contacting the Drug & alcohol testing unit.

Commander arrange transport to and from location
Officer paid award wage whilst recalled, from time of initial contact.
Officer must not engage in other policing duties whilst recalled

Question 14

Who decides who will be drug and alcohol tested at a mandatory incident.

Answer 14

The senior critical incident investigator will consider who is directly involved in the incident. This may include student police officers.

If the SCII is delayed a duty officer on scene can make the direction.

Question 15

With in what time frame should a drug and alcohol test be conducted aft a mandatory incident.

Answer 15

It is desirable that an authorised BAS operator conduct the testing within 2 hrs.

Question 16

Who can conduct the mandatory drug test and how long after a mandatory incident

Answer 16

An authorised drug testing officer must carry out the test as soon as reasonably practicable, preferably within 24 hrs.

Question 17

Can an officers blood sample taken from hospital be used as a substitute to drug testing after a mandatory incident.

Answer 17

Yes but only with the written consent of the officer.

Question 18

When a superintendent receives information about possible drug use by a staff member what is the process

Answer 18

Arrangements should be made for CMT to conduct assessment with assistance of region PSM.
Contact drug and alcohol testing unit.
All records and desicions to be recorded and maintained on c@tsi.
Officer required to produce urine and hair for analysis
An officer will normally be told it is a targeted test unless operational need requires.

Question 19

What considerations must you consider when organising a recall to duty targeted drug test relating to the officer.

Answer 19

The distance of police premises to location of the officer
Need for confidentiality and officers privacy
General safety and security concerns for all persons and equipment
Any other circumstances if the officer at time of recall

Question 20

What must you inform the assistant commissioner in relation to a recall to duty targeted drug test.

Answer 20

He must be advised if the recommendation and the reasons for that recommendation including all circumstances that make the recall test the most appropriate action.

Question 21

What must the c@tsi record include in relation to a recall targeted drug test.

Answer 21

All reasons and possible information given to the AC to make the decision including, circumstances, type of proh drug, the next fostered shift of the officer and any other urgent circumstances.

Question 22

What must happen to the officer after a recall to duty targeted drug test.

Answer 22

The officer must be placed onto Restricted duties until such time as the results become available. They must receive the standard award whilst on restriction

Question 23

What is the process if an officer tests positive for alcohol

Answer 23

The officer must be immediately relieved of duty for the rest of the shift.
Not paid for the remained of the shift

Question 24

What is the commanders responsibility if an officer returns a positive breath test at work.

Answer 24

The commander must refer the officer to the safety command for them to see an authorised counsellor for assessment.

Question 25

When would a commander take managerial action against a police officer who failed a breath test

Answer 25

If the officer failed to undergo counselling
With out reasonable excuse fails to attend counselling when they agreed to do so.
With out reasonable excuse fails to attend a rehabilitation program after choosing to do so.

Question 26

What will a police officer who tests positive to alcohol be subjected to.

Answer 26

Unscheduled testing for 3 years.

Question 27

What happens if an officer is caught twice within a 3 year period over the .02 limit.

Answer 27

The officer may face sanction under s173 or s 181 D

Question 28

What happens if a probationary constable is found over the .02 limit.

Answer 28

The probationary constable is to be stood down for the remainder of the shift with out being paid.
Referred to safety command for counsellor assessment.
Commissioner may consider the officer for dismissal

Question 29

What is the commissioners response to a positive drug test

Answer 29

The commissioner can apply for dismissal under section 181D, unless the officer has had that exposure declared as an accidental exposure.

If an officer is allowed to remain, they are subject of random testing for the next 5 years. The officer must be monitored by an approved counsellor and expected to comply with any rehab program.

Question 30

What are the consequences for refusing a alcohol test at work

Answer 30

Managerial action asa determined by their commander.

Question 31

What are the consequences for refusing a drug test at work.

Answer 31

The officer may be subject of 181D unless otherwise exempt

Question 32

What are the exemptions from mandatory drug and alcohol testing

Answer 32

An officer can object on serious medical ground. The onus is on the officer to produce appropriate medical evidence.

Question 33

When can an officer drink alcohol on duty

Answer 33

Special/ controlled operation. The issue should be included in the operational orders and approved by the commander.
The approval is limited and the officer must remain under .02 and is subject to the same consequences if tested and positive

Question 34

What is the policy for reporting an accidental drug exposure

Answer 34

It must be reported less than 24hrs from exposure
Must submit to a drug test as soon as practical
Must not perform operational duties until drug test conducted and results obtained.
Positive result will require further tests till negative
Disclosure shortly before test will not absolve the officer from a positive test,

Question 35

What is the commanders responsibility when an officer tests positive for drugs.

Answer 35

Make sure officer undertakes drug test ASAP.
Officer is restricted until result known
Decide wether accidental exposure claim is to be excepted. If not further drug testing to be considered and managerial action.
All records maintained as to the depiction to either accept or decline the explanation.

Question 36

Commanders responsibility in a high risk work type (drugs and alcohol)

Answer 36

The commander must advise staff that as a high risk location they will be subject to higher rate of random testing. New staff should be advised as part of the induction.

Question 37

Can you take action against an officer who is intoxicated during an emergency recall to duty.

Answer 37

It needs to be determined if the recall to duty was reasonable in all the circumstances despite the officers intoxication. If it was reasonable then no.

Question 38

Who maintains all records of random and target testing

Answer 38

Safety command. All positive results are notified to the commander and PSC.
Records on SAP with commander access only

Commander must record on c@tsi
Commander must record All positive drug tests and depiction maing process on C@tsi.