Ian Parkinson
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement officers who work around the department storage locker agreed to and passed drug tests following the arrest of Narcotics Task Force member Cory Pierce.
Pierce, a San Luis Obispo police officer assigned to the sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, allegedly sold drugs that he stole from the storage locker. The FBI arrested Pierce earlier this month after a two-week sting. Pierce, who is also alleged to have stolen drugs at gunpoint under the color of law, is out of jail on $25,000 bail.
Sheriff’s office spokesman Tony Cipolla said the department has since changed its rules limiting the number of officers who have access to the storage locker, in addition to drug testing them.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson is also negotiating with different employee groups to ensure that all officers involved in department operations undergo drug testing. The sheriff’s office has never before required drug testing.
