Officers access to drug wipes

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.039211

I note you seek access to the following information:

[REDACTED] I am looking into how forces across the country deal with S5a road Traffic Act Offences.

I would like to know if all front line officers have access to drugwipes and if not which officers do have access.

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

In the Met we use two methods of detecting Sec 5A, one being drug wipe and the other using a Draeger DT5000. MO8 are the lead however we have a number of officers outside of MO8 Field impairment testing (FIT) trained who are also trained to administer 5A testing, these officers have access to drug wipe. The only officers (in the Met) permitted to use drug wipe MUST be FIT trained.

All officers on the front line dealing with a suspected drug driver have access to drug wipe, this is delivered by requesting a trained officer to the scene and administering a test if appropriate.