Substance misuse testing for Police Officers from April 2021 to March 2025
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.25.044475
I note you seek access to the following information:
1. Please tell me, with reference to each of the last four financial years (2021/22) (2022/23) (2023/24) and (2024/25), the number of:
- Substance misuse tests undertaken at random on your force's officers (not civilian staff).
- Substance misuse tests administered with cause on your force's officers (not civilian staff)
- Substance misuse tests given on a pre-employment basis to people applying to be a police officer with your force.
- The number of positive tests to the number of tests undertaken in total for (a), (b) and (c).
2. Please break down 1d (the number of positive tests) by:
- The drug detected (e.g. cannabis, cocaine).
- The disciplinary measures resulting (e.g. final warning, dismissed, job offer withdrawn).
- 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.
In our conversation of the 27 ctober 2025, we discussed your request for information. In our conversation, you explained that the type of drug identified via a substance misuse test was not required where not immediately available but it was essential to receive figures that identified police officers as opposed to figures that grouped police officers with members of police staff.
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full. Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1a - Substance misuse tests undertaken at random on your force's officers (not civilian staff).
The table below provides the number of random substance misuse tests on police officers and their outcomes.
| Police Officers Only | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (as of 27 October) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running Total | 144 | 511 | 1019 | 580 | 1555 |
| Positive Test | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Please note resourcing abstractions in 2024 impacted on random testing volumes. In 2025 we increased our capability to meet national testing targets.
| Result | Police Officer |
|---|---|
| Case to Answer | 5 |
| Awaits | 1 |
| Action | Police Officer |
|---|---|
| Formal Action | 5 |
| Sanction | Police Officer |
|---|---|
| Dismissal | 4 |
| Would Have Been Dismissed | 1 |
Please note that when a police officer is subject of a positive test as a result of a substance misuse test, they are the subject of a misconduct investigation. If the investigation concludes that there is a case to answer, it is then determined whether formal action is required. A sanction will then be issued at a misconduct hearing.
Q1b - Substance misuse tests administered with cause on your force's officers (not civilian staff)
When a police officer is subject of an allegation of misconduct, they are the subject of a misconduct investigation where it is If Case to answer then proceeds to Action
The figures below provide the number of with cause substance misuse tests on police officers and their outcomes.
April 2021 to March 2022
32 tests carried out. Two of which were positive.
- One resigned but would have been dismissed if still serving. Positive for Cannabis.
- The other officer was dismissed. Positive for Amphetamines & Methamphetamine.
April 2022 to March 2023
42 tests carried out. 11 of which were positive.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for cocaine & Cannabis.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for anabolic steroids.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Cocaine
- Resigned. Officer dismissed on another matter. Positive for amphetamines
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Officer refused the test which counts as positive and was dismissed.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine & cannabis.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Cannabis
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cannabis.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
April 2023 to March 2024
42 tests carried out. 10 of which were positive.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Methamphetamine & Amphetamine
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cannabis
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cannabis.
- Officer refused test which counts as positive and was dismissed
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Steroids.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for steroids
April 2024 to March 2025
42 tests carried out. 9 of which were positive.
- Officer dismissed. Positive for steroids
- Officer dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Officer resigned from MPS. NFA. Positive for steroids
- Resigned. Would have been dismissed. Positive for Cocaine.
- Proceedings ongoing. Positive for Methamphetamine & Amphetamine
- Proceedings ongoing. Positive for Cocaine.
- Proceedings ongoing. Positive for Cocaine.
- Proceedings ongoing. Positive for Cocaine.
- Proceedings ongoing. Positive for Cannabis
Q1c - Substance misuse tests given on a pre-employment basis to people applying to be a police officer with your force.
The table below provides the number of pre-employment substance misuse tests on police officers and their outcomes.
| Reporting Channel | 2021/22 - Initial | 2021/22 - Re-Test | 2022/23 - Initial | 2022/23 -Re-Test | 2023/24 - Initial | 2023/24 - Re-Test | 2024/25 - Initial | 2024/25 - Re-Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - New Police Constables | 2022 | 9 | 2656 | 12 | 1416 | 7 | 1869 | 12 |
| 2 - New Detective Constables | 1535 | 5 | 839 | 2 | 735 | 8 | 687 | 5 |
| 3 - Transferees and Rejoiners | 9 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 51 | 1 |
| 4 - New Special Constables | 473 | 1 | 233 | 1 | 207 | 2 | 153 | 0 |
| 6 - New Designated Detention Officers | 133 | 0 | 173 | 0 | 96 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 7 - New Police Community Support Officers | 52 | 1 | 276 | 1 | 448 | 6 | 496 | 6 |
| 8 - Police Now and Direct Entry | 63 | 0 | 130 | 0 | 318 | 3 | 165 | 0 |
| 9 - External Recruitment for All Other Roles | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 - Internal Recruitment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Test Totals: | 4287 | 16 | 4340 | 16 | 3269 | 26 | 3454 | 24 |
| WFP Year Totals | 4303 | - | 4356 | - | 3295 | - | 3478 | - |
The re-test number reflects when a candidate failed the initial test and once re-tested, failed again.