Many New Jersey workers are subjected to drug tests at work. For most, these tests are inconveniences and nothing more. For others, they can pose a threat to their jobs. And for some, they can lead to criminal charges.
That is the case for a New Jersey police sergeant who faces multiple criminal charges related to his alleged theft and abuse of illegal drugs.
Cop allegedly took drugs from evidence room
According to news reports, the Hammonton Police Department investigated the officer after he tested positive for methamphetamine in a workplace drug test.
The positive result prompted an investigation within the police department. Prosecutors say investigators learned that the officer had stolen drugs from the storeroom where the department keeps evidence of alleged crimes.
The officer now faces charges related to official misconduct, theft, tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. News reports did not indicate whether he faces any specific drug charges, which suggests that he was not found to have any illegal drugs in his possession during the investigation.
Few restrictions on drug tests at work
New Jersey law places few restrictions on the use of drug tests in the workplace. This means thousands of workers must submit urine samples or otherwise participate in drug screening as a condition of their employment.
In some cases, sobriety may be related to safety issues. For instance, trucking companies want to know that their drivers are not inebriated as they are transporting heavy vehicles and goods on New Jersey roads. In other cases, the link between sobriety and job performance can be more tenuous.
Testing positive for drugs at work may put a person’s job at risk, but it doesn’t usually lead to criminal charges. However, certain jobs, such as police officer, require more strict application of the laws, and so a positive drug test can lead to an investigation.
It’s important to remember that a person in this position has the right to a defense.