Introducing Hampshire Constabulary’s Controlled Drugs Liaison Officer
A Controlled Drugs Liaison Officer (CDLO) is a police officer or authorised member of police staff, who undertakes functions in line with certain legislation, including The Health Act 2006 and Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
They work closely with those responsible for the storage and lawful supply of controlled drugs and pharmaceutical products, which are manufactured for the treatment of people and animals. This includes Pharmacies, NHS premises and veterinary practices.
Your local CDLO can help where drugs have been diverted from their legitimate purpose, where unauthorised suppliers are involved, where counterfeit drugs appear in the supply chain and where those entrusted with the manufacture, preparation, dispensing and application of these drugs break the rules (or are suspected of doing so).
If you have an incident or a concern involving a pharmaceutical product, or a person whose role places them in the supply chain, e.g. doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, pharmacy worker, vet, veterinary nurse, dentist, care home worker and so on, a CDLO will be able to assist in providing the required liaison between public health and policing, as well as any guidance that is required.
An initial email or informal conversation may be all that is needed because the police do not always need to be involved. Quite often, health partners are able to resolve matters locally along with safeguarding and support. If the situation is such that police involvement is required, we can discuss the best course of action and advise on what is needed to initiate a police investigation.
Here are some examples of CDLO activities:
- Supporting police investigations with specialist knowledge around the governance of controlled drugs
- Gathering and sharing of intelligence across local partnership networks around the lawful storage and supply of controlled drugs
- Developing intelligence relating to suspected breaches of regulations to identify potential criminal offences and breach of professional practice
- Targeted inspections at premises such as Pharmacies and NHS Hospitals
- Denaturing of controlled drugs (witnessing and endorsing the CD register
- Issuing of CD cabinet exemption certificates
- Providing advice and guidance to partner agencies around their responsibilities
Contact details are in this week’s newsletter.