HUNTINGTON BEACH
Random drug testing for police officers will begin in March, the city announced this week. The testing was proposed in June 1995, but the Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. did not bring the issue up in later meetings, said Bill Osness of the city’s personnel department.
On Jan. 21, 1997, the City Council adopted a resolution that unilaterally resolved an impasse on several issues between the city and the association. A draft policy on drug testing was given to the association last September, stating the intention to begin testing Dec. 1. Both sides met three more times, Osness said. Other than saying that they believed that the implementation first required a meet-and-confer process, association members did not voice any concerns, he said.
The council voted Feb. 1 to suspend the implementation for up to 45 days to give the association a chance to meet and consult with city representatives, Osness said. He did not give a specific day in March when the testing will start. Association representatives could not be reached for comment.
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