Genesis III Lesson 5

Original Version
To say that I was appalled when I discovered that most law enforcement agencies in the United States do not require routine alcohol and drug testing would be a major understatement. How, with all of the irrational sensibility being exercised, has America been able to sustain for over two hundred years? There is more logic used by a three-ring circus coordinator than there is by our ever so elite group of men and women of which our government is comprised. Who are the people that deem it necessary to routinely drug test professional athletes but not necessary to routinely drug test law enforcement personnel? Do these people have college degrees? Or, better yet, do they have any common sense?

Unless I am missing some crucial pieces to this puzzle, I find this to be more than slightly backward. Professional athletes, being used here for comparison purposes only, are trained for physical competition, whereas law enforcement officers are trained to restore order in a community, to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and to prevent crime, to name only a few. We unsafely assume that these tasks are being carried out by the finest and most capable citizens of our communities.

In a critical situation, the alertness of the individual(s) responding is of major importance. A lethargic officer is not one that can "get the job done". Nor is the overly anxious officer. A sharp, active, rational and clear mind is the key to a positive outcome, no matter what the situation.

Aside from the reasons listed above, let's consider the fact that these highly trained professionals are full time carriers of weapons, mainly handguns. To some, handguns are considered to be a deadly weapon; others view them as a means of self defense. Either way, the operator of a handgun should be in total control at all times with a mentality that matches.

At this time, I would like to introduce the truck driving industry. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 Parts 40 and 382, most drivers of commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate and intrastate transportation are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Employers are required to have a program in place to ensure that all drivers who are required to possess a CDL (commercial drivers license), and who operate a commercial vehicle, are tested for drug and alcohol use. Of course, this federal regulation makes absolute sense, considering it reduces the number of accidents that result from a driver's use of substances.

Why is it that we don't expect the same requirements of those who are subject to be behind the wheel of a vehicle, that at any given time could be involved in a high speed chase down our city streets? Is it because we "unsafely" assume that every single police officer is drug and/or alcohol free? Contrary to popular belief, police officers are just as likely to be alcoholics and/or drug addicts as the rest of the population. Diseases of any kind are not discriminatory when it comes to careers.

It is the responsibility of law enforcement officers to apprehend and jail all persons who are in possession of illegal drugs, whether the person is found in a public place or at their home. The same laws should be applicable to those who enforce them. It is not acceptable for female officers to moonlight as prostitutes while they are off duty, or male officers to moonlight as pimps; this would be considered ludicrous. Yet, by not requiring mandatory drug testing, we basically allow them to partake in illicit drug use. To exempt the upholders of law from laws is not wise.

I, as a concerned citizen, am not going to accept this as part of the system under which we are controlled. I urge all people who agree that police officers should be randomly and routinely tested for drugs and alcohol use to contact the proper state and federal officials and make your voice be heard. Multiple ways are in place for contacting them, including but not limited to, hand written letters sent via postal mail service, telephone calls, and emails. Out of the three methods listed above, the most effective are hand written letters. Making others aware of this issue is also a highly effective means of reform; the more voices that speak out, the more voices will be heard.


Revised Version
To say I was appalled when I discovered most law enforcement agencies in the United States do not require routine alcohol and drug testing of police officers is a major understatement. How, with all of the illogical management being implemented, has America sustained for over two hundred years? More logic is used by a three-ring circus coordinator than by our elected officials. Who are the people deeming it necessary to routinely drug test professional athletes but not law enforcement personnel? Do these people have college degrees? Or, better yet, do they have common sense?

Professional athletes, being used here for comparison purposes only, are trained for physical competition, whereas law enforcement officers are trained to restore order in a community, to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations, and to prevent crime, to name only a few. We, as tax paying citizens of such communities, unsafely assume these tasks are being carried out by highly trained individuals with untainted, clear heads.

The alertness of the individual(s) responding to a crisis situation is of major importance. A lethargic officer cannot "get the job done". Nor can the overly anxious officer. A sharp, active, clear and rational mind is pertinent to a positive outcome, no matter the situation.

Considering the fact that these highly trained professionals are full time carriers of weapons, mainly handguns, brings rise for concern. Some consider handguns to be a deadly weapon; others view them as a means of self defense. Either way, the operator of a handgun should be in total control at all times with a matching mentality.

I would like to introduce the truck driving industry. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 Parts 40 and 382, most drivers of commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate and intrastate transportation are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Employers are required to have a program in place to ensure that all drivers who are required to possess a CDL (commercial drivers license), and who operate a commercial vehicle, are tested for drug and alcohol use. This federal regulation makes absolute sense, considering it reduces the number of accidents that result from a driver's use of substances.

Why is it we don't expect the same requirements of those who are subject to be behind the wheel of a vehicle, that at any given time could be involved in a high speed chase down our city streets? Is it because we "unsafely" assume every police  officer is drug and/or alcohol free? Contrary to popular belief, police officers are just as likely to be alcoholics and/or drug addicts as the rest of the population. Diseases of any kind are not discriminatory when it comes to careers.

Law enforcement officers are responsible for apprehending and jailing  all persons in possession  of illegal drugs, whether the person is found in a public place or at their home. The same laws should be applicable to those enforcing  them. It is not acceptable for female officers to moonlight as prostitutes while off duty , or male officers to moonlight as pimps; this would be considered ludicrous. Yet, by not requiring mandatory drug testing, we allow  them to partake in illicit drug use. Exempting  the upholders of law from laws is not wise.

As  a concerned citizen, I  am not going to accept this as part of the system under which we are controlled. I urge all who  agree that police officers should be randomly and routinely tested for drugs and alcohol use to address this issue with the proper state and federal officials. The officials may be contacted via hand written letters , telephone calls, and emails -  hand written letters being the most effective . Making others aware of this issue is also a highly effective means of reform; the more voices speaking  out means  more voices being heard .