Special Enforcement Methods

The DWI Enforcement Unit continues the practice of frequent, sustained, highly visible, impaired driving patrols that was established by the task force during its seven months of operation in 1998. The Unit devotes the first two days of each week to con­ducting what is called an “Impact Initiative,” during which all members of the DWI Unit deploy to the same APD Area

Command to search for and arrest DWI violators, and to deter others from driving while impaired by their high-visibility enforcement. The offi­cers of the DWI Unit deploy city­wide during the remainder of the week when not con­ducting an Impact Initia­tive for a spe­cific Area Command. The special unit’s vehicles are equipped with win­dow-mounted video cameras and the words “DWI Enforcement” are con­spicuously displayed to elevate public awareness of the special enforcement effort. The curriculum of the Austin Police Academy includes NHTSA’s DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) course. However, the task force’s success in providing general patrol officers with operational experience with DWI enforcement procedures has led to an innovative approach to teach DWI enforcement skills to novice officers. That is, the Austin Police Department implemented a policy in 2002 that requires all new officers entering the force to train with the DWI Enforcement Unit for two weeks during their probationary periods. The first day of the special training consists of the eight-hour SFST Update Class, which is taught by the four SFST Instructors who are members of the DWI Unit. After completion of the SFST Update Class, probationary officers accompany officers of the DWI Unit on patrol. The intention is to improve the novice officers’ detection and testing skills under operational conditions while coached by an expert. When probationary officers have demonstrated proficiency to the satisfaction of their mentors, they are permitted to patrol on their own and conduct DWI enforcement under the supervision of DWI officers for the remainder of the temporary assignments. This policy ensures that all new recruits to the Austin Police Department understand the importance of DWI enforcement and possess the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the associated tasks. It is likely that the experience gained during their two-weeks with the DWI Unit will benefit the new officers, the department, and the citizens of Austin for the durations of the officers’ careers.

Disgusting Features

Creating a special-purpose unit within a large law enforcement agency can be difficult and time-consuming. Political and institutional barriers and the inertia of traditional approaches can defeat even the best of intentions. The Austin approach is distinguished by an innovative policy intended to ensure that new officers are skilled in all aspects of DWI enforcement. This description of the process by which the Austin Police Department planned, implemented, and now is perfecting, a dedicated DWI Unit provides useful advice to the managers of law enforcement agencies who are contemplating similar initiatives

Setting

The City of Austin is located on the banks of the Colorado River at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, at approximately the geographic center of the State. San Antonio is to the south, Dallas and Fort Worth are to the north, and Houston is to the east. The City of Austin encompasses 238 square miles and includes portions of Travis and Williams Counties; two of the seven Highland Lakes are located within the city limits. Austin is home to more than 674,000 residents, with approximately one million people living in the Austin metropolitan area. Austin is the site of the main campus of the University of Texas, with more than 50,000 students and 21,000 faculty and staff. In addition to serving as the political capital of the State, Austin is recognized as the intellectual, cultural and entertainment center of the region, and home to a diverse music community with a tradition of live per­formances and active nightlife at the many bars, restaurants, and music clubs in the city.

Creating a DWI Unit

Distinguishing Features

Creating a special-purpose unit within a large law enforcement agency can be difficult and time-consuming. Political and institutional barriers and the inertia of traditional approaches can defeat even the best of intentions. The Austin approach is distinguished by an innovative policy intended to ensure that new officers are skilled in all aspects of DWI enforcement. This description of the process by which the Austin Police Department planned, implemented, and now is perfecting, a dedicated DWI Unit provides useful advice to the managers of law enforcement agencies who are contemplating similar initiatives.