Top Cop In NYC Wants “mandatory Breathalyzer testing for all cops who fire their weapons – whether on or off duty – when it results in injury or death.”
By: Pam On: Jun/19/07 - 12 Comments
Barring a legal challenge from police unions, Breathalyzer testing will go into effect in September.
Mike Palladino, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, blasted the move as unconstitutional.
“I think it’s a violation of their Fifth Amendment [rights],” he said. “The mere fact that an officer fires his weapon does not automatically rise to the level of reasonable suspicion.”
Palladino said it is a “mandatory subject of collective bargaining” and the department could not “unilaterally impose” it.
The NYPD said Breathalyzer testing is constitutional and does not have to be collectively bargained.
June 19, 2007 - 07:25 AM on June 19th, 2007
I want a breathalyzer test for all politicians before and after any speeches or legislation, with jailing for legislating while impared.
June 19, 2007 - 08:16 AM on June 19th, 2007
1-
As for the cops, come now. None of them would ever drink before or on duty. They are all perfect upstanding public servants beyond reproach. Um.
June 19, 2007 - 08:23 AM on June 19th, 2007
2.
Your sarcasm aside, the vast majority of police officers are exactly that.
June 19, 2007 - 08:23 AM on June 19th, 2007
2- Don’t they have the highest rate of alcoholism if you look at it from a career standpoint? I think they do.
A pilot can’t drink a certain amount of hours before a flight and must have a maximm blood alcohol level of a low number or they can’t fly.
June 19, 2007 - 09:00 AM on June 19th, 2007
4- I was being sarcastic. I don’t know if they have the highest rate of alcoholism but it would not surprise me given the stress level.
As for pilots, there is no mandatory pre-flight BAC testing unless one is suspected of being intoxicated. Really, in ANY job, an employer is not going to permit an intoxicated employee to work.
June 19, 2007 - 09:19 AM on June 19th, 2007
5- I never said there was pre-flight testing. They are given a breathalyzer after any incident or if they are suspected of being intoxicated.
June 19, 2007 - 11:27 AM on June 19th, 2007
5, not true! The voters of Massachusetts and Rhode Island employ 2 Kennedys who have problems with drink and perscription drugs impairing their decision making.
June 19, 2007 - 12:46 PM on June 19th, 2007
Im sure all those cops who used their guns like that were in perfect condition its this other wacko that needs to take breathilizer test:razz:
June 20, 2007 - 11:42 PM on June 20th, 2007
Honestly, while I hate the thought of forcing a police officer to take a breathalyzer test, with the modern level of litigation in this society taking a breathalyzer test might not be a bad idea. It takes one more thing away from the lawsuit happy trial attornies. One chain of car dealerships requires a drug test from any salesman who is involved in an accident during a test drive whether they were behind the wheel or not.
June 21, 2007 - 01:37 AM on June 21st, 2007
As for the cops, come now. None of them would ever drink before or on duty.
In 27 years in LE, I have never seen one that did. Just my experience…
June 21, 2007 - 07:04 AM on June 21st, 2007
10- I’m glad for that Robert. FYI..this isn’t meant to pick on cops, but more so, based on FAO’s comments…to protect the integrity of cases and also…let’s face it..these guys are in possession of a gun that can kill a person, just like a pilot is in possession of the lives of his/her passengers…
Remember this past March, the 6′4″ off duty cop in Chicago that beat the senses out of the 5′1″ barmaid? Why?, she cut him off for threatening other patrons and he was beyond the happy in happy hour drunk. Chicago paid her off after other cops tried to intimidate witnesses, btw, but that was 12:30 a.m. and he was due back to work in the morning…
June 22, 2007 - 12:33 AM on June 22nd, 2007
Peejz, any officer who would go out and have more than 3-4 drinks while carrying his sidearm, shouldn’t be allowed to carry a sidearm. The only exception to this I would make is undercover officers. Even then I would expect them to exercise a little discretion.