37 police commission officers undergo random drug testing

THIRTY-SEVEN police commissioned officers (PCO) assigned in Camp Alagar in Cagayan de Oro were subjected to random drug testing on Friday.

Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) personnel administered the test, which was held at the conference room of the Police Regional Office (PRO) Northern Mindanao.

It was a surprise test since many of the police officers only knew about it early in the morning when they reported for duty.

Police Superintendent Lyndel A. Desquitado, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, was the first among the list of PCOs who submitted his urine sample for testing.

The drug testing for PNP personnel is prescribed under National Police Commission (Napolcom) Memorandum Circular No. 99-008 which requires that it shall be conducted regularly on a yearly basis and randomly among PNP uniformed personnel without notice.

Random drug testing will help ensure that police officers are not using illegal drugs.

Passing the test is one of the general requirements for appointment to the PNP and when police officers apply for promotion, mandatory schooling and deployment for UN Peacekeeping missions.

Police officers are expected to strictly adhere to the policy of non-use of dangerous drugs. Those who are found positive will be automatically subjected to summary dismissal proceedings. (PR)