Source: Courier Mail (Australia) Contact: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 PLAN TO DRUG TEST POLICE RECRUITS POLICE recruits will undergo random drug-testing and their physical entry requirements will be altered to help more women enter the force under new recommendations announced yesterday. The review also recommended a three-tiered exclusions policy with a life ban on people convicted of serious offences, including sex and drug crimes, and a five-year wait for less serious offenders. And other applicants who had committed minor offences outside the five-year limit - such as shoplifting - would not be automatically excluded. The Police Education Advisory Council's (PEAC) Review of the Queensland police's recruit and selection process was officially handed over to deputy police commissioner Bill Aldrich yesterday. The review, Police for the Future, involved 14 representatives from the Criminal Justice Commission, police, community and is chaired by retired judge, Mr Bill Carter, QC. Mr Aldrich said the Queensland Police Service (QPS) had accepted the review's recommendations, which would work towards recruiting the best people possible with more stringent interview and vetting procedures. The review also recommended that current physical competency test used for selecting recruits be phased out by March next year and replaced by a health screening process. QPS human resources director David Gill said there had not been any complaints about the tests but the police service was taking the initiative to ensure the criteria did not discriminate against anyone. He said the changes also were designed to lift the current intake of female recruits from just under 40percent to 50percent. "Our results show that in some areas of the test there is a higher failure rate for women than men and that is not acceptable," he said. The Queensland Police Union yesterday condemned the report, saying it was "fit only for the rubbish bin". President Gary Wilkinson, who said he had not yet fully read the report, criticised any moves toward random drug and alcohol testing of recruits or serving officers. "What is the criteria for those legislating and administering the law who on are on the higher end of the food chain than that of police officers - who tests the CJC or the judges?" he said. Mr Wilkinson also said no one with a criminal record should be allowed to enter the police service and criticised the review for not being more detailed in its criteria. - --- Checked-by: Mike Gogulski