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Title: Cops Fighting Mandatory Drug Tests – Claim it’s ‘Unconstitutional’ to Screen Police Urine
Source:
Free Thought Project
URL Source: http://thefreethoughtproject.com/pi ... rgh-police-afraid-drug-tested/
Published: Dec 8, 2015
Author: Will
Post Date: 2015-12-08 12:59:31 by Deckard
Keywords: Above The Law, Steroid Abuse, Drug War Hypocrites
Views: 987
Comments: 11
In an unprecedented protest against the routine offenses against due process and bodily integrity carried out in the name of the “war on drugs,” the union representing Pittsburgh police officers has condemned workplace drug and alcohol testing as a violation of the Constitution. Their zeal for the right to privacy only applies to themselves, however, not to the public they supposedly serve. NBC affiliate WPXI reports that the Pittsburgh Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police “has filed a civil rights grievance against the city, claiming officers have been order to undergo drug and alcohol testing that is in violation of their contract.” Union attorney Bryan Campbell describes the policy as “an illegal search and seizure.” To which those not protected by Blue Privilege might respond: Welcome to our world, FOP. Under the contract between the City of Pittsburgh and its paramilitary affiliate, police officers can be subjected to drug or alcohol tests only in three circumstances: When an officer displays signs of impairment on the job, fires a weapon, or is involved in a vehicle crash. The union’s complaint arises from a recent pursuit that ended in a car crash. Two officers who participated in the chase but were not directly involved in the crash were required to undergo testing. Another blatantly obvious reason for police opposing public scutiny of their urine is that it could reveal the usage of such things as anabolic steroids. Police officers are no stranger to ‘Vitamin S’ as many of them have not only been caught using the rage-inducing hormones, but selling them as well. Chief Cameron McLay insists that the terms of the contract allow him to require tests of all officers involved in a pursuit, irrespective of whether they were also involved in a collision. Union attorney Campbell suggests that the city is sacrificing the rights of his clients in order to protect itself in the event of a lawsuit: “They [the officers] don’t forfeit their constitutional rights to protect the city from a civil liability.” The union complaint may be as much a negotiating tactic as an assertion of Blue Privilege: Since April it has been involved in highly contentious contract arbitration with the Mayor over budget restrictions imposed through the city’s “Act 47 plan,” a financial restricting program for municipalities trying to stave off bankruptcy. The plan called for a pay freeze this year, followed by a one percent raise next year, and raises of two percent in 2017 and 2018. These increases – which would be eagerly and gratefully received by people in the still-struggling productive sector – are disdained by the police union as insufficient. Police in Pittsburgh have eagerly supplemented the revenue stream through the officially sanctioned theft called “civil asset forfeiture,” seizing more than $700,000 in cash and 11 vehicles in 2013-2014 (albeit much of the haul was collected subsequent to charges that generally resulted in a plea bargain). Special interest lobbyists associated with law enforcement are voluble in opposition to a proposed state bill that would place some restrictions on the practice. During the last legislative session, anti-reform lobbyists denounced the bill – which would reinforce the constitutional principle that punishment should be imposed following an actual conviction – as a “drug dealer’s bill of rights.” Residents of Pittsburgh who are found in possession of small amounts of marijuana can still face criminal charges that “can cost [them jobs, housing, and leave them with a criminal record,” pointed out the Post-Gazette on November 17. Criminal defense lawyer Patrick Nightingale, executive director of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), points out that someone found in possession of a minuscule amount of cannabis will “still have to be fingerprinted, they will still have their offense recorded in a national database. They will still have a rap sheet.” The City Council is considering a measure that would permit the police to issue a non-traffic citation instead of a misdemeanor summons for possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana or eight grams of hashish. This would result in a city fine of $100 and seizure of the contraband – in other words, it would offer a reduction in prohibition-related penalties while preserving the drug war infrastructure. This helps explain why the proposed city ordinance is supported by the Pittsburgh Police Bureau, whose personnel are seeking to retain their special immunity against the kind of drug war-inspired infringements of personal liberty routinely inflicted by them. 
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#1. To: Deckard (#0)
LOL !! Si vis pacem, para bellum Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. There are no Carthaginian terrorists. “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.” - George S. Patton
This is EXCELLENT news. Now would seem to be the time to join the fight against mandatory drug screening since the police are against it now too. Either that, institute screening for all public officials, along with the release of any pharmaceuticals they are prescribed. Isn't it time we found out what kind of crazy our "servants" really are?
I would be fine with that ! Si vis pacem, para bellum Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who don't Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. There are no Carthaginian terrorists. “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.” - George S. Patton
Another example of the "heroes" in blue being exempt from rules and laws that the rest of the serfs have to obey. In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much Its your constant dribble of crap that turns me off from these stories. No one likes crooked cops any more than we like crooks period. But by the time we weed through the bs the real story pops out and nothing like what is posted by you. I do think its "odd" police do not want to be randomly tested for illegal drugs. I think this is more the police union(like all unions have very little to do with protecting police but protecting their bottom line) protecting their power. I would think it helps good cops and weed out the bad ones.
Your post signals something you didn't intend.
Other than Roscoe and misterwhite you mean? I do think its "odd" police do not want to be randomly tested for illegal drugs. Oh, you think it's "odd"? Good grief man! In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much Oh, you think it's "odd"? Good grief man! There is a difference between policeman and police union. Just like there is a difference between union man and the union. Union is about protecting its power and the man is about what is right for the most part(not all people are good). The basic policeman are harmed by bad cops just like citizens. When enough policemen get tired of this they will speak up in numbers and it will be fixed. I still think the number one issue with police/citizen relationship is the over burdensome laws that were brought about by blind WOD's and WOT.
When I was in the military, Operation Golden Flow was common. For those who don't know, Golden Flow was the stream of urine we had to surrender for analysis on a routine basis. I saw the benefit of it.
Psalm 37 PRAY FOR PARIS
Uh, no - I can show you several cases where "good" cops were punished for blowing the whistle on the bad ones. You're right about the unions. But even more so it's the "us versus them" attitudes and militarized departments that are being mandated by the DHS. In a Cop Culture, the Bill of Rights Doesn’t Amount to Much That is an unfortunate occurrence. The citizens develop the same attitude after awhile. The division between the people and police officers can lead to unfortunate occurrences on both sides. Psalm 37 PRAY FOR PARIS
" Cops Fighting Mandatory Drug Tests – Claim it’s ‘Unconstitutional’ to Screen Police Urine "
#2. To: Stoner (#1)
#3. To: jeremiad (#2)
" institute screening for all public officials, along with the release of any pharmaceuticals they are prescribed. Isn't it time we found out what kind of crazy our "servants" really are? "
#4. To: misterwhite, Roscoe, Justified, GrandIsland, cop worshipers (#0)
Another blatantly obvious reason for police opposing public scutiny of their urine is that it could reveal the usage of such things as anabolic steroids. Police officers are no stranger to ‘Vitamin S’ as many of them have not only been caught using the rage-inducing hormones, but selling them as well.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#5. To: Deckard (#4)
#6. To: Deckard (#4)
#7. To: Justified (#5)
No one likes crooked cops any more than we like crooks period.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#8. To: Deckard (#7)
I do think its "odd" police do not want to be randomly tested for illegal drugs.
#9. To: Deckard (#0)
#10. To: Justified (#8)
(Edited)
When enough policemen get tired of this they will speak up in numbers and it will be fixed.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#11. To: Deckard (#10)
But even more so it's the "us versus them" militarized culture that is being promulgated by local police and mandated by the DHS.
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