Firefighters Suspended in Drug Abuse Probe

San Diego city officials have suspended “several” firefighters without pay in connection with the continuing investigation of drug abuse in the department, City Manager John Lockwood said Wednesday.

Lockwood declined to say how many firefighters were suspended, nor would he name the stations where they had been posted. They will remain off duty pending completion of the investigation by the San Diego Police Department, Lockwood said.

Any firefighters cleared by the inquiry will be reinstated with back pay, Lockwood said. Anyone implicated in wrongdoing could face a range of disciplinary actions from reprimands to discharge, Lockwood said.

Last week, Fire Chief John DeLotch said that as many as seven firefighters may be indicted as a result of a local and federal investigation centering on alleged use and possession of illicit drugs by some firefighters. A federal grand jury is believed to be conducting an inquiry. It is not known if the alleged drug abuse occurred while the firefighters were on duty.

Despite the inquiry, Lockwood said, the problem was limited and did not pose a threat to the public.

“I certainly don’t want to leave anyone with the impression that this was a widespread practice, or that public safety was endangered,” Lockwood said.