Who can order an employee to submit to a drug test?

The unit commander is the appropriate authority to order an employee to submit to a drug test, as this position generally has the requisite oversight and responsibility for the personnel within their unit. The unit commander is typically well-versed in the department's policies regarding drug testing and is empowered to ensure the integrity and performance of their unit. This authority aligns with maintaining departmental standards and responding to situations that necessitate drug testing, such as reasonable suspicion or post-incident protocols.

In contrast, while other roles like the chief of staff, watch commander, and human resources may have varying levels of involvement or influence regarding personnel matters, they do not possess the direct authority to mandate a drug test under standard operational protocols as effectively as the unit commander does. The chief of staff typically focuses on broader administrative functions, the watch commander oversees shifts and immediate operations but may not have jurisdiction over personnel actions, and human resources generally handles policy implementation and personnel records rather than direct orders for testing.