The New York Police Department (NYPD) is intensifying its crackdown on officers using muscle-building supplements, raising concerns about potential job terminations for those who test positive for banned substances.
In a directive issued on December 26, the NYPD warned that officers could be fired if they take over-the-counter supplements leading to failed drug tests. Titled “Possession or ingestion of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, and nutritional supplements,” the memo warned that officers are accountable for everything introduced into their bodies. It also wrote said supplements, though legal, might contain “prohibited, banned, or illegal substances,” potentially resulting in drug test failures.
The move follows instances of undisclosed police officers testing positive for banned substances, attributing their results to weight-lifting supplements, according to a law enforcement source.
“The department is saying, ‘We’re not going to take that as an excuse anymore,’” an NYPD source told the New York Post. “If you test positive for a steroid and you don’t have a valid prescription for it, don’t come to us and say, ‘I was taking a workout supplement.’”
The idea that officers who fail a drug test without a valid prescription could face termination has led to a storm of controversy within the police force. Some officers argue that the move may have potential unintended consequences, such as a less physically capable force.
“If these supplements are sold over the counter and anyone else can buy them, how can you ban it for police officers?” another police source asked the Post.
Detective Edward W. Barrett, an officer from the NYPD’s Warrant Section, previously faced scrutiny for advertising his workouts and supplements, including products from his business, 50 Cal Labz.
Barrett defended the safety of his supplements, although he argued that working out is more important than relying solely on supplements.
“You should be careful about what you put in your body,” Barrett explained. “I take mine because I know what’s in them.”
Detectives Endowment Association president Paul DiGiacomo criticized the directive as an invasion of privacy, arguing that making personnel disclose their doctor-prescribed medications is an overreach.
DiGiacomo urged officers to first check the safety of supplements, but stood by their use in promoting fitness. “I’d rather have a cop in good shape who can protect himself and protect his partner and the people we serve than someone who doesn’t have the ability to accomplish physical goals,” he stated.
The directive bans specific substances, such as broad-spectrum steroids and human growth hormone, which can only be legally taken with a prescription. Steroids, linked to aggressive behavior and serious health risks, are prohibited by the NYPD due to potential “roid rage.”
The FDA has identified concerns with some bodybuilding products, including the illegal inclusion of steroids or steroid-like substances.
Several supplement companies responded to the ban, expressing confidence in the safety of their products and compliance with regulatory standards.
