Substance misuse tests

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.025583

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Please tell me, with reference to the 2020/21 financial year, the number of:
a) Substance misuse tests undertaken at random by your force's officers.
b) Substance misuse tests administered with cause by your force's officers.
c) Substance misuse tests given on a pre-employment basis.
d) The number of positive tests to the number of tests undertaken in total.

2. Please break down (the number of positive tests) by:
a) The drug detected (e.g. cannabis, cocaine).
b) The disciplinary measures resulting (e.g. final warning, dismissed, job offer withdrawn).
c) Whether the substance misuse test was given at random, with cause or on a pre-employment basis.

Note: For pre-employment tests, I do not require that you break down the number of positives by substance detected.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Please tell me, with reference to the 2020/21 financial year, the number of:
a) Substance misuse tests undertaken at random by your force's officers.
b) Substance misuse tests administered with cause by your force's officers.
c) Substance misuse tests given on a pre-employment basis.
d) The number of positive tests to the number of tests undertaken in total.

80 tests were carried out at random. All were negative.
49 tests were carried out with cause. 10 were positive.
2,465 tests were carried out on a pre-employment basis. 18 were positive.

Q2 - Please break down 1d (the number of positive tests) by:
a) The drug detected (e.g. cannabis, cocaine).
b) The disciplinary measures resulting (e.g. final warning, dismissed, job offer
withdrawn).
c) Whether the substance misuse test was given at random, with cause or on a
pre-employment basis.

Note: For pre-employment tests, I do not require that you break down the number of positives by substance detected.

Please see the table below.

The 4 resignations relate to police staff.