A Content Analysis of Law Enforcement Drug Disqualification Policies

• In Event: Standards in Policing

Abstract

Police departments and professional associations across the country have expressed increased difficulty in recruiting qualified candidates in recent years. The current crisis has already led departments across the country to relax hiring standards concerning prior tattoos, facial hair, psychological standards, and educational standards. One area that has received attention concerning recruitment issues and the relaxation of hiring standards within law enforcement are drug disqualifiers. In addition, the proliferation of marijuana legalization for medical and recreational purposes has fueled a discussion among law enforcement agencies concerning existing drug disqualification policies. One issue concerning drug disqualification standards within the literature is the limited understanding of what the actual drug disqualification policies are among the various law enforcement agencies around the country. This study examines the drug disqualification policies of a random sample of law enforcement agencies from around the United States. This research serves to inform the national discussion concerning drug disqualifier policies among law enforcement agencies.

Authors

• Sam Vickovic, California State University, Long Beach

• Carlos Carmona, California State University, Long Beach