Some of the 3,000 officers in key roles, from a total force of 8,000 throughout Greater Manchester, will be breathalysed for alcohol by an independent company drafted in especially for the new scheme.

About 600 police a year in safety critical roles such as firearms and drugs officers, drivers and senior officers will be tested under the new regime.

Any officer found with more than 13 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, far under the drink-drive limit of 35mg in 100mls of breath, will fail the test.

Police will also have swabs of saliva taken which will be tested for traces of illegal drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
Those who fail either test face a disciplinary hearing which could end in the sack.

So far around 30 officers have been caught out at other forces.
Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: "We recognise that drugs and alcohol is a problem across all of society and it will obviously affect the police service as well.

"We are keen to set out for our officers and staff that we have a responsibility to be fit for duty and not do anything that impacts on the safety of them and the community.

"We are not looking to catch people out. If people do have a problem we would encourage them to get help."

He said the strict alcohol limit meant police did not have to be drunk to fail.
"It could be they have had a drink the previous day or before they came on duty," he said.

"The point is they shouldn't be coming into work if they've had a drink.
"If they have tested positive for drugs they will be committing a criminal offence and we will treat them that way."