Arcadia : Alcohol, Drug Testing OKd

An alcohol and drug testing policy for city employees was approved Tuesday by the City Council, over objections of the police and firefighters’ associations.

Starting immediately, city employees will be required to undergo a urine or blood test if a manager or supervisor suspects they have been using drugs or alcohol on city property. The council approved the measure, 4 to 0, with Councilman Charles Gilb absent.

K.J. Crawford, vice president of the Arcadia Firefighters Assn., and Ron Buckholtz president of the Arcadia Police Relief Assn., asked the council to reject the proposal or postpone approval because city officials failed to meet with them before completing the policy.

Alex D. McIntyre, assistant to the city manager, said the policy has been in the planning stages for three years. He said the city met with the employee associations during the planning phase.