Boston Herald: Police Chief Says Drug Testing Needed

Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney, who is looking for a "rogue cop" who stole drugs from his police department's evidence, says that drug testing of officers is needed, according to a report in the Boston Herald.

Heagney is asking Beacon Hill to help in filing a bill to allow for random drug testing of police officers.  

“The unions are going to step up and pressure them not to make any changes, but this is proof why we need it,” Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney  said in the Boston Herald.

Past attempts to pass a state law for random drug testing have failed. Any change would have to be collectively bargained into police union contracts.  

“I think we owe it to our citizens that police officers are drug tested,” Heagney said in the Herald story. “I’m appalled that we can’t without bargaining, which makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.”

When he took over as police chief, Heagney ordered an investigation when cocaine and other drugs were missing after an August audit.

Attorney Leigh Panettiere represents the Attleboro police union and other law enforcement unions. She said the union isn’t against testing.

“Police officers don’t want to work in an environment where drug abuse is a problem,” Panettiere said in the Boston Herald.

According to Panettiere, the union and city haven't been to agree on how officers would be tested.

Read the entire story at http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20220116chief_seeks_fix_theft_by_rogue_cop_spurs_call_for_random_drug_tests/srvc=home&position=0