PSNI officers quit after drug tests

Three police officers in Northern Ireland have resigned after they failed drug tests.

Three police officers in Northern Ireland have resigned after they failed drug tests.

Another was disciplined after cocaine and cannabis were detected, the police service confirmed.

A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed: “There have been a total of four police officers detected as the result of intelligence-led ‘with cause’ drugs tests.”

Three officers resigned prior to disciplinary proceedings concluding and one who appeared before a misconduct hearing was required to resign as an alternative to dismissal.

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The ex-officer appealed to the Police Appeals Tribunal and the sanction was overturned, with the officer receiving a fine.

The PSNI carries out random and planned drugs testing of officers and staff and “with cause” alcohol breath testing for those involved in what have been defined as safety critical roles.

Testing is also undertaken at pre-recruitment, during the student officer stage and throughout the probationary period. Random testing is undertaken on an ongoing basis.

PA