Public employee, policy and procedures, collective bargaining, union issues, safety, arbitration, random testing, drugs, reasonable suspicion, search.

Officials with the City of Annapolis appeal a court ruling that prohibits the city from implementing a new drug testing policy for its police and firefighters. All applicants for police and fire positions were required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. The city proposed revising its policy to include random testing of all employees. The city and unions representing uniformed police officers and firefighters could not agree on the details of the new plan. The matter was submitted to a state board for mediation. The mediation officer declared the city could expand its drug testing program without the consent of the unions. The unions applied for judicial review.

A circuit court judge enjoined the city from expanding its plan. The court ruled the city failed to prove either a department-wide or individualized problem with substance abuse.

The City of Annapolis wins. The Maryland court of appeals reversed the decision of the lower jurisdiction. Although the city's plan lacked provisions for reasonable suspicion, the court ruled it did not violate rights protected by the constitution.