Regulation 3 Police officers in the Police Service of Northern IrelandI1

The Police Service of Northern Ireland Regulations 2005^f1 shall be amended as follows.

In regulation 3(1) (interpretation) after the definition of “the Conduct Regulations” insert—

• ““controlled drug” has the same meaning as in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971;”.

In regulation 10 (which sets out the qualifications for appointment for candidates who have not completed a period of service as a police trainee) after sub-paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A)

A candidate for appointment to the police service, other than a person who has completed a period of service as a police trainee, shall not be appointed unless he passes a test for evidence of controlled drugs.

(1B)

For the purposes of paragraph (1A), a person passes a test if—

(a)

a sample of his saliva, urine, blood or hair (other than pubic hair) is taken and tested for evidence of controlled drugs in accordance with such procedures as may be determined by the Secretary of State, and

(b)

he is not found to have taken any controlled drugs.

(1C)

The Chief Constable may specify the circumstances in which a person who provides evidence that he has been subject to drug testing procedures other than those established under paragraph (1B) may be deemed to have passed a test for the purposes of paragraph (1A).

(1D)

In its application to a candidate for appointment as a senior officer, paragraph (1C) shall have effect as if for any reference to the Chief Constable there were substituted a reference to the Board.”

After regulation 19 insert—

“Testing for evidence of drugs and alcohol

19A

(1)

The Chief Constable may require any member to give a sample of saliva, urine, blood, or hair (other than pubic hair) to be tested for evidence of controlled drugs in accordance with procedures determined by the Secretary of State.

(2)

The Chief Constable may require any member to give a sample of breath to be tested for evidence of alcohol in accordance with procedures determined by the Secretary of State.

(3)

A member who—

(a)

fails to give a sample under paragraph (1) or (2), or

(b)

on giving a sample under paragraph (1) is found to have taken a controlled drug, or

(c)

on giving a sample under paragraph (2), is found to have more than 13 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath,

shall face such consequences as are specified in a determination of the Secretary of State.”