INDECOM to place microscope on drunken cops

Drunken cops involved in an incident could be subject to prosecutorial action from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

A joint select committee of Parliament examining the INDECOM law has given the green light for a provision in the legislation addressing the use of alcohol while on duty.

INDECOM could subject an officer who had been involved in an incident such as the shooting of a person to a breath test if there is reasonable suspicion that the cop was under the influence of alcohol.

In addition, the committee has agreed that a provision should be inserted indicating that members of the security forces involved in an incident while on duty shall comply with such regulations as may be prescribed in relation to the taking of other samples not including DNA samples.

Committee chairman Senator Mark Golding said regulations made by INDECOM in relation to the taking of samples would be subject to affirmative resolution in Parliament.

Committee member Senator Lambert Brown was not in favour of widening the offences to other substances other than alcohol. However, Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams argued that it would send a wrong signal that the police can use prohibitive substances while on the job and get away with it. She said the proposed new Road Traffic Act makes it an offence for persons to smoke marijuana while driving a vehicle.