Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 - General Order 4-3 – (03/01/24 )
SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
Chapter
4 Number
3 # Pages
7
References: CALEA Standards: N/A
Administrative Regulation 4053 Related Orders: 1 -1, 7-21,
08-03 Effective Date: 03/01/2024
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 07/09/2019
Chief of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish a substance abuse policy and procedure for the
Richmond Police Department. This directive contains information regarding the duties and
responsibilities of both management and employees relative to substance abuse in the
workplace.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for triannual review . Updated language as it pertains to post crash
investigations has been added. All changes will be bold and italicized thro ughout the
document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to establish and maintain a safe and
healthy working environment for its employees, free from alcohol abuse and illegal drug use.
To that end, the Department is committed to a policy of non -tolerance for its applicants and
employees wherein alcohol abuse and illegal drug use are concerned .
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in
this general order. Respo nsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling, and/or
disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or car e in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if
proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by t his Department, and then only in a non -
judicial administrative setting.
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SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
V. DEFINITIONS
A. ABUSE – Use of alcohol, illegal and/or prescription drugs in a manner other than that
prescribed by a licensed physician, or in a manner inconsistent with its medica lly
prescribed or intended use, or in such a fashion to cause physical or behavioral
problems or under circumstances where use is not permi tted.
B. REASONABLE SUSPICION – Reasonable suspicion is based on the totality of the
circumstances and shall be based on specif ic, contemporaneous, articulated
observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech , and /or body odor of the
employee. In making a determination of reasonable suspicion, the factors to be
considered will include, but are not limited to , the followin g: adequately documented
pattern of unsatisfactory work performance for which no apparent non -impairment
related reason exists ; a change in an employee’s prior pattern of work performance,
especially where there is some evidence of alcohol -related behavio r on or off the
worksite; physical signs and symptoms consistent with alcohol abuse; evidence of
prohibited alcohol use, possession, sale or delivery while on duty; and occurrence of a
serious or potentially serious accident that may have been ca used by hu man error, or
flagrant violations of established safety, security , or other operational procedures.
C. SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY (SAP) COORDINATOR – The Lieutenant assigned
to the Internal Affairs Division that shall coordinat e substance detection testing
(alcoh ol and drug tests) within the Police Department .
VI. PROCEDURE
A. General Information:
In all matters relative to alcohol abuse and illegal drug use in the workplace, the
Richmond Police Department and its employees will conform to and be governed by
the provisio ns of the City of Richmond’s Substance Abuse Policy, Administrative
Regulation #4053. This policy is available online at Administrative Regulation 4053 -
Substance Abuse Policy 12012021 Signed.pdf (rva.gov)
B. Prohibition:
Pursuant to the Department’s Code of Conduct policy (General Order 1 -1; Rules of
Conduct 1 6-19), employees are bound to stringent guide lines concerning the
possession and use of drugs and alcoholic beverages, both on and off duty. Any
employee who violates these policies , or encourages violations by others , shall be
subject to disciplinary sanctions , up to and including dismissal from Cit y
employment , pursuant to the Department’s Code of Conduct.
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SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
C. Exemptions:
Pursuant to conditions set forth in the Substance Abuse Policy of the City of
Richmond, the Police Department has been granted certain exemptions that will
enable our employees to carr y ou t their official duties and responsibilities without
violating its provision.
Employee Rules of Conduct:
1. Under proper and specific orders from a supervisory officer, a police officer
may, in their official capacity, have possession of or consum e, as requir ed,
alcoholic beverages and a police officer may, in their official capacity, have
possession of narcotic and/or drug substances for the purpose of conducting an
ongoing investigation. Under no circumstances shall this policy allow for the