Gordon Graham
Category: Law Enforcement

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol.

Today’s Tip is for law enforcement officers and relates to the potential dangers associated with field testing drugs.

Follow your training. Know your policies and procedures on field testing. Understand the proper techniques for handling suspected drug evidence.

No doubt you’ve heard of situations involving law enforcement officers who were exposed to just a few grains of a dangerous opioid like fentanyl. Often, these situations involve the officer becoming seriously ill. In one such incident, it was reported that 18 officers became ill after such an exposure.

Many agencies use newer field drug testing methods such as swipe tests on the outside of suspected drug containers. Others have completely eliminated all field testing.

How can you protect yourself from exposure during field drug testing or packaging suspected drugs for transport?

Don’t handle questionable or unknown materials unless you have the appropriate training and equipment.

Follow your training. Know your policies and procedures on field testing. Understand the proper techniques for handling suspected drug evidence.

Use gloves and respiratory protection. Even when wearing protection, limit your exposure.

Make sure your gloves and respiratory protection are easily accessible. It will be a bad day indeed if you can’t find these items when you need them. And make sure everything fits correctly.

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.