NCJ Number
101440
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1986) Pages: 147-156
Date Published
1986
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This 1982 Ontario survey of police uniformed officers and administrators ascertained procedures for the detection, arrest, and processing of drunk drivers; identified problems of drunk-driving enforcement; and solicited officers' recommendations for improved drunk-driving enforcement.
Abstract
Two versions of a questionnaire (one for uniformed officers and one for administrators) were developed from the Hurst and Connelie et al. surveys. The administrator questionnaire was sent to 186 administrators, with a 75.8-percent return rate. A total of 1,229 questionnaires were sent to uniformed officers, with a 65.4-percent return rate. Findings are consistent with the findings of Hurst and Connelie et al. The detection of drunk driving is low compared to estimated drunk-driving driving is low compared to estimated drunk-driving occurrences. Reasons for low enforcement include inadequate manpower, time-consuming arrests, attitudes of officers and administrators, the court system, and the amount of paperwork. Results suggest that a major overhaul of case processing is required to increase drunk-driving arrest rates. Survey recommendations include increasing and standardizing police training vis-a-vis drunk-driving case processing, streamlining the arrest process, standardizing and reducing forms and paperwork, increasing the number of roadside screening devices, and assessing manpower allocation to drunk-driving enforcement. Other recommendations are to review the entire adjudication process and establish a management policy of top priority for drunk-driving enforcement. Tabular data and 17 references.