Prov. mayor tables police drug tests

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - Providence Mayor David Cicilline says he will table an order for random drug testing of the city's police officers.

Cicilline shocked many on Monday calling for the testing following the arrests last week of three officers, including a narcotics detective on drug-related charges.

The city's police union voted to reject the proposal, and some questioned whether it's legal.

On Wednesday, Cicilline said he would table the proposal and that the police would work to develop its own drug testing policy.

"So this morning, I have directed the chief to table random drug testing,"said Cicilline.

He said he hadn't meant to impugn the integrity of the department, but that many have apparently interpreted it that way.

Cicilline said, "Looking back on it in retrospect, based on how people heard it and reacted to it, it was clearly a mistake. I never intented to convey to anyone anything other than tremendous confidence in the great men and women of this department."

He had asked for the union's support, but the union called the proposal an "incompetent political attempt to deflect blame."