Pubdate: Fri, 27 Feb 2004
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Rob Granatstein

DRUG TEST FOR COPS?

Judge Makes 32 Recommendations

A storm is already brewing over a recommendation that Toronto Police 
officers should be forced to undergo drug testing before being promoted or 
assigned to high-risk units like the drug squad. The mandatory drug test is 
one of 32 recommendations proposed yesterday by retired Ontario Supreme 
Court Judge George Ferguson, following a two-year investigation into 
curbing misconduct in the police force.

"It's a non-starter," Toronto Police Association president Rick McIntosh 
said of the possibility his officers will have to pee in a bottle to get a 
promotion. "Just because you put a uniform on does not mean you check your 
rights at the door."

New York City cops are tested for drugs, and Ferguson said the system 
appeared to be effective and fair.

McIntosh, however, called it an unmitigated disaster that has sapped the 
New York force's morale.

Chief Julian Fantino said implementing the recommendations as soon as 
possible -- some are already in place -- is a priority, but there will 
obviously be some roadblocks, from the union and a lack of money.

Fantino ordered Ferguson's investigation at the same time he initiated an 
RCMP probe into allegations drug squad officers stole cash and drugs from 
dealers. Six officers were charged criminally last month.

The force also hopes the report will serve to help the fight against 
perceived or actual corruption in the police service and to restore public 
confidence.

'Right Thing To Do'

"Doing nothing is not an option," Fantino said. "Whatever we move forward 
on will be a quantum leap from where we've been.

"I see a number of things that we can do that are not only the right thing 
to do, but are necessary," he said.

Ferguson's report calls for a complete overhaul of the way confidential 
informants are treated, basing the new technique on a system in place in 
England. The plan would prevent officers from "entering into unhealthy 
relationships with information sources," he said.

"The service will be in charge of the informants," he said. "Rather than 
the informants in charge of the service."

Among other advice from Ferguson is that the police should inform the 
Crown, when requested, if an officer who is testifying in a court case is 
in trouble themself.

Ferguson called for the force's employment unit to be revamped and focus on 
getting the best candidates, and keeping them.

He also called for more power and autonomy for the internal affairs unit. 
Ferguson said that team needs to move out of headquarters and be given more 
power to test an officer's integrity, although he rejected the use of 
lie-detector tests.

Finest Force

Ferguson travelled across Canada, the U.S. and England to examine the law 
and practices of those countries, as well as those in Australia and New 
Zealand, and received 60 written submissions while compiling the report.

"When the recommendations are implemented, I believe it will be the finest 
police service in the world," the judge said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman