The internal affairs department of the Western Australia Police force tested approximately 200 officers across five suburban police stations on Monday. The results were unfortunately not entirely clean, as three of the officers returned "a presumptive positive result to amphetamine and methylamphetamine".
The results have been forwarded for further testing, however the three officers have been stood down after the positive test.
WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan put the numbers in perspective, clarifying that there are over 6000 officers in the state of Western Australia, and since 2012 only 10 officers have tested positive for drug use.
In contrast however, O'Callaghan also stated he has pushed for rigorous testing of officers.
“I pushed very hard because I believe police officers are out there, they're using weapons, they're dealing with the public and it's really important that like any industry — for example mining — we also test our officers for drugs and alcohol."
Often referred to as a ‘scourge on the community’, Methylamphetamine, or ice, has gripped Australia unlike any other drug. The idea that there are people under the influence of ice with quick access to weapons and other police resources is both frightening and an unfortunate reflection of the current drug use issues in Australia.
