About us

Jo Coles - York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Jo Coles - North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime

Home - Workplace Drug Testing Policies

Workplace Drug Testing Policies

Information Disclosed

Our Ref: NY10702

Date: 24/07/2026
Freedom of Information request reference number: NY10702

I write in connection with your request for information that was received by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Policing, Fire and Crime Directorate (PFC) on 27 June 2026

 Request:

  1. Is the PFCC aware of the drug and alcohol testing policy used by North Yorkshire Police for its officers, police staff, and contractors? If so, does the PFCC hold a copy of that policy, and has the PFCC reviewed or approved it?
  2. Does the North Yorkshire Police drug testing policy include the following safeguards: (a) Confirmatory laboratory testing (e.g. LC-MS/MS or GC-MS) before any adverse action is taken on the basis of an immunoassay screening result;

(b) Review by an independent Medical Review Officer (MRO) or equivalent qualified professional;

(c) Consideration of lawful explanations for a positive result, including the use of commercially available CBD products, prescribed cannabinoid-based medicines (e.g. Sativex, Epidiolex), or dietary sources;

(d) Referral to Occupational Health before disciplinary proceedings?

  1. In the last three years, has the PFCC received any complaints, representations, or correspondence from officers, staff, or members of the public regarding North Yorkshire Police’s drug testing procedures or outcomes?
  2. Has the PFCC commissioned, funded, or overseen any substance misuse or drug testing services in the North Yorkshire area? If so, do the commissioning contracts or service specifications require the safeguards listed in Question 2?
  1. Is the PFCC aware of any officer or staff member of North Yorkshire Police who has been dismissed or subjected to disciplinary action based solely on an unconfirmed immunoassay drug screening result (i.e.without confirmatory laboratory testing)?

 

Response:

To locate the information relevant to your request searches were conducted within the PFC.

I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by the PFC.

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you.

  1. Is the PFCC aware of the drug and alcohol testing policy used by North Yorkshire Police for its officers, police staff, and contractors? If so, does the PFCC hold a copy of that policy, and has the PFCC reviewed or approved it
  • I cannot find any information to say the DMPFC hold or has reviewed this policy
  1. Does the North Yorkshire Police drug testing policy include the following safeguards:   (a) Confirmatory laboratory testing (e.g. LC-MS/MS or GC-MS) before any adverse action is taken on the basis of an immunoassay screening result;
    (b) Review by an independent Medical Review Officer (MRO) or equivalent qualified professional;
    (c) Consideration of lawful explanations for a positive result, including the use of commercially available CBD products, prescribed cannabinoid-based medicines (e.g. Sativex, Epidiolex), or dietary sources;
    (d) Referral to Occupational Health before disciplinary proceedings?
  1. In the last three years, has the PFCC received any complaints, representations, or correspondence from officers, staff, or members of the public regarding North Yorkshire Police’s drug testing procedures or outcomes?
  • I cannot find any information to say we have received any correspondence
  • I cannot find any information to say we have received any complaints
  • I cannot find any information to say we have received any representations
  1. Has the PFCC commissioned, funded, or overseen any substance misuse or drug testing services in the North Yorkshire area? If so, do the commissioning contracts or service specifications require the safeguards listed in Question 2?

Please see below:

  • In 2023-24, the former PFCC Community Fund awarded £16,665 funding to North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council Public Health for Project Harm Reduction. The project concluded in 2024.
  • In 2025-26, the YNYCA Policing, Fire and Crime Directorate Community Fund awarded £20,000 funding to North Yorkshire Police (NYP) for their Drug Testing on Arrest This funding was one-off and from April 2026, costs would be factored into NYP budgets.
  • Question 2 will need to be directed to North Yorkshire Police directly.

 

  1. Is the PFCC aware of any officer or staff member of North Yorkshire Police who has been dismissed or subjected to disciplinary action based solely on an unconfirmed immunoassay drug screening result (i.e. without confirmatory laboratory testing)?
  • No information held

Please note that systems used for recording information are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted therefore that the PFC’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other responses you may receive.