Pubdate: Tue, 29 Feb 2000
Source: Cherry Hill Courier-Post (NJ)
Copyright: 2000 Cherry Hill Courier-Post
Contact:  P.O. Box 5300, Cherry Hill, N.J. 08034
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Author: Jim Walsh

ALL OFFICERS IN BURLCO FACE RANDOM DRUG TESTS

MOUNT HOLLY - All law enforcement officers in Burlington County face random
drug tests under a policy announced Monday by the county's prosecutor.

The program, the first of its kind in South Jersey, will cover more than
1,000 officers at municipal police departments and county agencies, said
Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi.

"The public is entitled to know that police officers are drug-free," he
said. "When you consider these people carry guns and are entrusted by the
public to serve them, that's the way to go."

Any officer who fails a drug test will be suspended "with intent to
terminate," he said.

"Basically it's a zero-tolerance position for law enforcement. There's no
second chance. You're out - and you're permanently barred from accepting any
position in law enforcement," said Bernardi, citing state Attorney General's
Office guidelines.

Currently, only two other counties - Mercer and Passaic - randomly test
officers, said Bernardi, who was sworn in as prosecutor last June.

Burlington County's program is to begin July 1, giving local officials time
to devise testing procedures and enact needed ordinances, he said.

Under the program, law enforcement agencies in Burlington County must test
at least 20 percent of all officers each year. Testing must occur at least
twice a year.

About 750 officers work for the county's 32 municipal police departments.
The county employs 47 detectives in the prosecutor's office, 67 sheriff's
officers and 250 corrections officers and supervisors.

Bernardi said the county's police chiefs and public safety directors are
"highly supportive" of the program.

The prosecutor said he did not consult with police unions. Officials of the
Fraternal Order of Police and the Policemen's Benevolent Association could
not be reached Monday.

The state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of random drug tests
for NJ Transit police in November 1997. The justices said public safety
outweighed officers' privacy concerns.

"Prior to that, the (state's) policy was you could test only new recruits
and veterans with probable cause," said Chuck Davis, a spokesman for the
state Attorney General's office.
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