By Order of the Police Commissioner - Drug Urinalysis Testing Programs - Policy 1720

Sep 20, 2026

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This policy establishes the Baltimore Police Department’s Drug Testing Program to protect the integrity of the department and maintain public trust in law enforcement employees. It provides notification requirements for employees who take potentially impairing medications and defines key terms including members, laboratory approval, MRO, and testing types. The document specifies procedures for accidental exposure, including prompt medical treatment, reporting, and administrative forms, as well as requirements for random urinalysis and annual testing for designated units.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Drug Testing Program Policy

Purpose and Notice Requirements

Definitions

Accidental Exposure Procedures

Annual Testing Requirements

By Order of the Police Commissioner POLICY It is the policy of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) to ensure the integrity of the BPD and topreserve public trust in fit law enforcement employees. To accomplish this, the BPD has implemented a Drug Testing Program for its employees. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide all employees with notice of the provisions of the BPD’s Drug Testing Program. NOTE: When a member takes any type of medication, which might impair judgment or prohibit a member from performing regular duties, that member must notify his or her immediate supervisor and advise that supervisor of the specific medication being taken. Upon notification, the supervisor will give the individual member further instructions. DEFINITIONS Member ─ (For the purpose of this Policy) All sworn personnel and civilian personnel who are involved in drug interaction. Accidental Exposure ─ See Policy 810, Bloodborne Pathogens and Human Bites. Annual Testing ─ Because of the sensitivity of their assignments, employees of Specialized Units, as mentioned in this Policy, must receive annual testing. Laboratory ─ Location where chemical specimens are tested. Only federally approved, certified forensic laboratories are used to test specimens from the BPD. The laboratory must hold a valid Maryland permit or, if it is located outside of the State of Maryland, it must be certified or otherwise approved under Md. Code Ann., Health General Art. § 17-214. MRO ─ Medical Review Officer, the Medical Director for the BPD. PSI — Public Safety Infirmary Random Urinalysis Test ─ Based on a random selection process, members are selected to submit a urine sample at PSI/Mercy Medical Center. The sample is sealed and sent to an off-site laboratory for testing. | Policy 1720 | DRUG URINALYSIS TESTING PROGRAMS | Page 2 of 11 | | --- | --- | --- | Reasonable Suspicion Test ─ Used when a member is ordered by a permanent-ranking supervisor to submit to a chemical test. The urine specimen is screened immediately at PSI/Mercy Medical Center at which time the results are relayed to the supervisor on the scene. The urine sample is then sent to an off-site laboratory to confirm the results. ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE Member 1. When accidentally exposed to or contaminated by any type of CDS or other hazardous substance: 1.1. Promptly seek medical treatment, when necessary. 1.2. Immediately report the incident to your supervisor. 1.3. Write an Administrative Report, Form 95 to your Commanding Officer, detailing the circumstances of the incident. Supervisor 1. When notified that a subordinate has been exposed to or contaminated by any CDS or other hazardous substances: 1.1. Ensure prompt medical treatment has been obtained, when necessary. 1.2. Investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensuring the proper collection of evidence and photographs. 1.3. Prepare an Administrative Report, Form 95, detailing the results of your investigation along with an EIR (Employee Incident Report) . 1.3.1. Send copies of both forms to the Department Safety Officer. 1.3.2. When appropriate, make a Blue Team entry. 1.4 Call Key Risk Management at 1-877-607-8600. ANNUAL TESTING NOTE: All sworn and civilian personnel who are directly involved in handling, testing, and storing of Controlled Dangerous Substances are subject to random urinalysis testing and annual testing. 1. Assignment or detail to one of the following units requires an annual urinalysis, in addition to the random testing process: 1.1. Operation Intelligence Section | Policy 1720 | DRUG URINALYSIS TESTING PROGRAMS | Page 3 of 11 | | --- | --- | --- | 1.2. Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and Internal Affairs Section (IAS) (with the exception of civilian personnel) 1.3. Equal Opportunity and Diversity Section (EODS) (with the exception of civilian personnel) 1.4. Property Section 1.4.1. Evidence Control Unit 1.5. Crimi

FAQs

What must employees do when taking medication that may impair judgment or prevent regular duties?

Employees must notify their immediate supervisor and advise the specific medication being taken. The supervisor then provides further instructions.

What actions are required after accidental exposure or contamination by controlled dangerous substances or other hazardous substances?

The employee should seek medical treatment when necessary, immediately report the incident to the supervisor, and submit an Administrative Report, Form 95 to the Commanding Officer detailing the circumstances.

How does the policy define and handle Reasonable Suspicion and Random Urinalysis testing?

Reasonable Suspicion testing is ordered by a permanent-ranking supervisor and initially screened at PSI/Mercy Medical Center before confirmation by an off-site laboratory. Random Urinalysis testing uses a random selection process for members to submit urine samples sealed and sent to an off-site laboratory for testing.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Hazel