Cops Fighting Mandatory Drug Tests – Claim it’s ‘Unconstitutional’ to Screen Police Urine

[KamaAina]

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/pittsburgh-police-afraid-drug-tested/

In an unprecedented protest against the routine offenses against due process and bodily integrity carried out in the name of the “war on drugs,” the union representing Pittsburgh police officers has condemned workplace drug and alcohol testing as a violation of the Constitution. Their zeal for the right to privacy only applies to themselves, however, not to the public they supposedly serve.

NBC affiliate WPXI reports that the Pittsburgh Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police “has filed a civil rights grievance against the city, claiming officers have been order to undergo drug and alcohol testing that is in violation of their contract.” Union attorney Bryan Campbell describes the policy as “an illegal search and seizure.”...

Under the contract between the City of Pittsburgh and its paramilitary affiliate, police officers can be subjected to drug or alcohol tests only in three circumstances: When an officer displays signs of impairment on the job, fires a weapon, or is involved in a vehicle crash. The union’s complaint arises from a recent pursuit that ended in a car crash. Two officers who participated in the chase but were not directly involved in the crash were required to undergo testing.

Another blatantly obvious reason for police opposing public scutiny of their urine is that it could reveal the usage of such things as anabolic steroids. Police officers are no stranger to ‘Vitamin S’ as many of them have not only been caught using the rage-inducing hormones, but selling them as well.

So po-po pee-pee has constitutional rights?

[CanonRay]

1. Federal agents get randomly tested

so why not these guys...sure hope they test for steroids.

[gwheezie]

2. I can be tested at my job

When we agree to work here we sign an agreement that allows them to do urine and hair tests at any time. We can be fired for nicotine.

[saturnsring]

3. in ohio i can be dragged to a hospital and have blood drawn without my concent by a leo

looking for something to justify the arrest

[Photographer]

4. After seeing so many "no-neck" cops with biceps straining the seams of their shirts

I would expect they cherish their steroid use.

[hifiguy]

5. Rights for me but not for thee.

I'd bet a LOT of kkkops are using roids or speed. The kind of hostility and paranoia you seein many kkkops has to have a root cause.

[gratuitous]

6. Please note how the cops are fighting this

Their union is saying the proposed testing is a violation of the contract between the cops and the city. See, when your rights are spelled out in a contract that both sides get to negotiate, you can include some pretty sweet deals for yourself. When your job is your job at the sole whim of one or more bosses, you can't tell management to go fly a kite when they get some bee in their bonnet.

You want me to pee in a cup for your edification or amusement? We'll have to sit down and have a little talk about that.

[closeupready]

7. Of course they have double standards. They refuse to hold themselves accountable,

and claim a right to do basically whatever they want when amongst civilians. They are just fine with blatantly unconstitutional random road blocks to stop and alcohol test drivers, but not with testing themselves for illegal drug use.

Nice work if you can get it.

[Downwinder]

8. Those that make the law and those who enforce the law should

meet, at least, the same standards as those forced to obey the law.