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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATIONDriving Under the Influence (DUI) is a major concern and focus for all law enforcement agencies. One of the major aspects faced by all police agencies regarding DUI enforcement is processing the arrested impaired driver. Processing an arrested DUI driver represents non-enforcement time for the arresting officer. That is, during the processing phase of the arrest the officer is no longer capable of any type of enforcement activities. Processing includes transporting the arrested driver to a holding facility, processing the paperwork associated with the arrest, and determining the blood alcohol level of the arrested driver. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department discovered that it took an arresting officer approximately two hours to process an arrested DUI driver. In order to reduce the processing time and get the arresting officer back into an enforcement mode as soon as possible, the Department proposed a mobile DUI processing van. This van would not only centralize the process, but would also bring all of the necessary equipment, paperwork, and any other necessary assistance to the arresting officer. GOALS AND OBJECTIVESThe purpose of the DUI Van was to increase the efficiency of processing drivers arrested for DUI. This increased efficiency would give officers more time for more arrests or to participate in other safe driving activities, in order to:
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIESThe DUI Van, which went into service in April of 1999, provided a mobile DUI processing platform staffed with officers trained and experienced in the complete handling of arrested intoxicated drivers in order to reduce the time spend in the processing procedure.
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RESULTSProviding a mobile platform staffed by an officer experienced in DUI recognition and processing resulted in a 50 percent processing time reduction (from an average time of tow hours to one hour or less). An unexpected result was the acceptance of the van by the patrol officers who found it helpful to have an officer experienced in DUI processing and recognition available to guide and assist them. This assistance encouraged officers to actively seek out intoxicated drivers. As a result of the DUI Van project, there were comprehensive reductions in DUI related collisions. |
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SPRING 2002 |