Officers decry off-duty rules on use of pot

OTTAWA —Some police forces are implementing nonsensical and offensive policies that prohibit or severely limit off-duty cannabis use by police offices, a national association that represents frontline officers says.

The comments come as the RCMP and the Toronto police service both eye a rule that would bar cannabis use by members within 28 days of a shift.

The Calgary police service’s policy is even stricter, forbidding most officers from consuming marijuana during their down time after recreational use of the drug becomes legal Oct. 17.

Tom Stamatakis, president of the Canadian Police Association, wondered why some forces are treating cannabis differently from other legal products — such as alcohol and prescription drugs — that can cause impairment.

“Effectively, what they’re saying is: We don’t trust police officers to make the right decision when it comes to reporting for work fit for duty,” Stamatakis said in an interview. “And I just find that to be an offensive approach.”

There has been no meaningful consultation on the drafting and implementation of cannabis policies for officers, which vary drastically from force to force, Stamatakis said.

The Ottawa and Vancouver police services are among those with permissive policies that will allow off-duty cannabis use with no time restrictions, as long as officers show up ready and able to do their jobs.

In contrast, the national police association has been told the RCMP policy would forbid cannabis use by officers 28 days before work.

“It’s effectively an outright prohibition,” Stamatakis said.

The Mounties said as recently as last week they were still working on a policy. The force had no additional comment on Tuesday.