NCJ Number
205694
Date Published
2003
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This 2002 Annual Report of the Ohio State Highway Patrol presents statistics and information on the agency activities during the year, with summary statistics provided for the years 1999 through 2002.
Abstract
In 2002, examiners at Ohio's 95 driver-examination stations administered 724,040 written tests and 570,900 road tests for noncommercial drivers. Work continued on the development of the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS). When completed, this system will allow officers from different agencies to communicate with one another directly by radio. The first phase of implementation was completed in 2002. In 2002, the Taylor Alert system began operating. It provides all Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) users with the ability to be notified if an individual has previously been convicted for a violent act against a law enforcement officer. During 2002, the Highway Patrol continued to emphasize appropriate traffic stop protocols so as to detect possible racial profiling. In addition to the training and oversight programs, the agency continued to make traffic stop diversity data on all officer-initiated stops available to the public through its Web site. During 2002, the Patrol investigated 40 fewer fatal crashes and 300 fewer injury crashes than during 2001. Troopers removed 28,409 drunk drivers from the road. A zero-tolerance policy regarding the State's safety belt laws contributed to a voluntary compliance rate of 70 percent. Preliminary statistics show that 421 people were killed in 381 crashes caused by impaired drivers in 2002. Some examples are provided of the Highway Patrol's efforts to counter impaired driving. In 2002, there was an average of 1,481 sworn employees. Equipment purchases included taser units for every patrol car, automatic external defibrillators for each post location, and two new Cessna 182 aircraft for the Aviation Section. The Highway Patrol is represented on the Law Enforcement Subcommittee of the State of Ohio Security Task Force, which focuses on the detection, surveillance, intelligence-gathering, and investigation of anti-terrorism issues in partnership with other governmental agencies at all levels. Data are provided on Highway Patrol activities in each of the State's districts.