NCJ Number
69047
Date Published
1975
Length
339 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES OF 22 POLICE DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROJECT (ASAP) ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED IN THEIR EFFORTS TO APPLY PROGRAM COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST THE MENACE OF DRUNK DRIVING.
Abstract
THE REPORT SUMMARIZES THE OVERALL PROCESS OF ENFORCING LAWS AGAINST DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI). INTENDED PRIMARILY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE APPROACH OF INTENSIFIED APPREHENSION AND ADJUDICATION OF DWI OFFENDERS CAN SAVE LIVES, ASAP GOALS ENCOMPASSED THE FOLLOWING INTERDEPENDENT AREAS: ENFORCEMENT, JUDICIAL, REHABILITATION, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OPERATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THESE GOALS INVOLVED EITHER THE FORMATION OF SEPARATE DWI UNITS OR THE DEPLOYMENT OF REGULAR PATROL OFFICERS FOR DWI EXTRA DUTY FUNCTIONS. THE DWI LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCESS CONSISTS OF THE PROCEDURES OF DETECTION, APPREHENSION, TRANSPORTATION, OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY, INCARCERATION, TESTIMONY, AND ADJUDICATION. RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED SITE VISITS FOR ACTUAL OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION OF THE MANNER IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CARRIED OUT THEIR DUTIES IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF APPLICABLE DRUNK DRIVING LAWS. A FIELD STUDY INSTRUMENT WAS DEVELOPED AS AN AID IN DATA COLLECTION. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE EFFORT EXPENDED BY PARTICIPATING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WAS PROPORTIONATE TO (1) THE DEGREE OF INTERACTION BETWEEN ASAP MANAGEMENT AND THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES; (2) THE AMOUNT OF DWI TRAINING RECEIVED BY THE OFFICERS OF THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES; AND (3) THE PATROL CONFIGURATIONS UTILIZED FOR DWI DETECTION AND APPREHENSION. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE INTENSIFIED TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, ADMINISTRATIVE PLANNING FOR SUCH TRAINING AS WELL AS FOR DATA GATHERING AND EXCHANGE AMONG AGENCIES, AND THE INSTALLATION OF A CIVILIAN ASAP ENFORCEMENT COORDINATOR. MOST OF THE SITE DESCRIPTIONS INCLUDE SAMPLE FORMS, DISCUSSIONS OF SPECIAL PROCEDURES USED FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS, AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE PROJECT TEAM.