ii-34SubstanceTestingProceduresForEmployees

1 (12/13/2019) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: SUBSTANCE TESTING PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES Index as: Alcohol Testing Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (OTETA) Breath Testing Operator (BTO) OTETA BTO Random Alcohol Testing Drug Testing Random Drug Testing Employee Substance Testing Testing, Employee Substance Accreditation Standards: 26.3.6 Cross Reference : G.O. IV -1, Rules of Conduct Collective Bargaining Agreements - Drug Free Workplace City Rules and Regulatio ns, 5 -19 Drug Free Workplace Replaces : G.O. II -34, Substance Testing Procedures for Employees, ( April 28, 2016 ) This Order : A. Establishes p rocedures to be followed by Police Department supervisors when they have reasonable suspicion an employee has used, or is using, illegal drugs or controlled substances, either on or off duty, or has recently used or is und er the influence of alcohol while on duty, as proscribed by J:\Research \GeneralOrders \IV Rules of Conduct \IV-01 Rules of Conduct.pdf . B. Establishes g uidelines for the administration of random drug tests and permits pre -assignment testing to selected specialized units. C. Further describes alcohol and substance abuse testing for employees required to maintain a Commercial Driver's License. D. This O rder consists of the following sections: I. Policy II. Definitions III. Reasonable Suspicion IV. Testing Procedures V. Random Drug Testing VI. Random Alcohol Testing VII. Commercial Driver's License Testing I. POLICY A. The City of St. Petersburg and the St. P etersburg Police Department are committed to providing a drug -free workplace. Additionally, as a police agency, it is important to set an example and to demonstrate to the public our commitment to this concept. It is the policy of the St. Petersburg Police Department that employees determined to be involved with the use of any illegal substance, or improper use of any controlled substance, shall be recommended for discipline, up to and including termination . DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER April 2016 Immediately II-34 Distribution: All Employees General Order II -34 2 (12/13/2019) B. Employees determ ined to be involved in alcohol -related incidents shall be dealt with on a case -by-case basis with appropriate sanctions applied, which may include medical referral . C. Employees are expected to comply wit h substance testing procedures. 1. Employees who refuse to submit to the testing proced ures shall be ordered to do so. 2. Continued refusal will be considered insubordination which could result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. D. If, during analysis, a drug test reveals the presence of illegal drugs, a confirmation test (gas chromatog raphy/mass spectrometry [GCMS]) will be performed. This test is accepted by laboratories and the courts as the most accurate and sophisticated confirmation method available. E. Substance testing of applicants may be required as part of the announced selection process for as signment to a specialized unit. 1. When required, the random testing procedure shall be carried out by a supervisor of the specialized unit, rather than a representative of the Office of Professional Standards . 2. Results of the test will be provided to the specialized U nit Commander upon their receipt by the Office of Professional Standards . II. DEFINITIONS A. Insubordination – Willful or intentional disregard of the lawful and reasonable instructions of the employer. B. Reasonable Suspicion – For the purposes of this O rder, means reliable information or observable signs which would indicate to a reasonable person that an individual has used, is using, or is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Observable signs include, but are not limited to, bloods hot eyes, dilated pupils, slurred speech, lack of coordination , significant change in b ody composition over a prolonged period, radical mood shifts , or a pronounced change in work habits or performance. III. REASONABLE SUSPICION A. Whenever a supervisor has reasonable suspicion an employee has been using controlled substance(s) or alcohol in a manner prohibited by the General Orders of the Police Department and/or the City Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System and/or of the G eneral Orders of the Police Department, a second supervisor, preferably the Watch Commander, will be asked to eval uate the employee in question. If a second supervisor agrees reasonable suspicion exists, the Major/Division Manager of the employee shall be notified. B. If the Major/Division Manager of the employee concurs with the supervisors, the employee shall be required to submit to testing. The Major/Division Manager of the employee shall ensure the Office of Professional Standards is notified. 1. If substance abuse is suspected, employees shall be taken to the contracted medical testing facility, as directed by the Office of Professional Standards , for testing . 2. If alcohol use is suspected, they shall be taken to the breath -testing room . C. The supervisor shall ensure the employee is not allowed to perform job -related tasks and shall remain with the employee until personnel from the Office of Professional Standards arrive . D. Once testing for the employee has been arranged, the Assistant Chief of t he employee shall be notified. General Order II -34 3 (12/13/2019) IV. TESTING PROCEDURES A