Police Cite Privacy Concerns Over Their Own DNA

HARTFORD, Conn. — Some police officers across the country are opposing efforts to force them to submit DNA samples, saying they're concerned about privacy rights and the possibility management would misuse the information.

A number of police departments, including those in New York and Las Vegas, require at least some employees, especially crime scene investigators, to provide DNA samples. They're mainly intended to identify unknown genetic material found at crime scenes. Louisiana appears to have the only statewide law requiring officers to give DNA samples.

Officers in Connecticut, Chicago and Los Angeles have been fighting such policies. They cite privacy rights and the need for safeguards to prevent their bosses from misusing DNA information, such as learning workers are predisposed to diseases or other potential health problems.