Sobriety Checkpoint Operations

L. R. “Bob” Jacob, Director, Institute of Police Technology and Management

Charles Andrew, Major, Alabama Department of Public Safety

Developing a Foundation

Purpose of Sobriety Checkpoints

Securing Appropriate Staffing

Mutual AidSupport Personnel

Community Support

Public Speaking

Special Interest Groups

Agency PolicyPurposeAuthorizationMedia NotificationSite SelectionOperational Plan

Michigan vs. Sitz

Operational PlanThe most critical factor to a roadblock

Purpose of the PlanPlan should include:

Who is in chargeJob duties of those involvedArrest procedures, processingDocumentation of the operation

Problem Identification/ Site Selection

Traffic HistoryAlcohol and Drug related crashesHigh volume of Traffic Violations

SafetySpeed of trafficOther conditionsOfficer safety is important!

PlanningAuthorization

Follow department policyApproval from High Level Administrator

Traffic EngineeringMotorist and Checkpoint Personnel safetyObtain Traffic countShould follow MUTCDAsk DOT to review plan

Site Property OwnerPermissionInterference with businessCleanliness

Planning

Assisting Agencies and CompaniesGive them advanced notice !!!!

Tow companiesJailBreath Testing operatorsFire rescueCitizen groupsMADD

PlanningMedia Coordination

Press releaseIncreases the deterrent effectHandled by CO or PIOTimelySend them your After Action Report ASAP !!!!

PlanningMedia Coordination

Access to the checkpointAccess

Set a policyBe as liberal as possible

RestrictionsCO can limit access as a safety concern

PlanningEquipment and Facilities

Port-a-pottiesCone and barricadesAdvanced signageBreath Testing EquipmentMessage BoardsLight TowersCamera EquipmentPrisoner Transport

PlanningSite Selection

Conducive AreaStreet lightsPortable lightingLarge area

Clear open parking lotRoom for various types of equipmentRoom to pull vehicles off for interviewsRoom for SFST

PlanningOFFICER SAFETY !!!!!

Agency Approved UniformTraffic VestFlashlights with light conesEmergency lights activated at checkpoint

entranceWide enough lanes

PlanningSite Considerations

SFST/video testing areaBreath testing areaBooking areaDetention areaApproach lanesCheck Point LanesTicket Staging AreaVehicle Staging Area

Personnel Selection and Positions

Command Officer (CO)ResponsibilityLead member of supervisory rankCoordinate all checkpoint activities,

staffing, operations, briefing, debriefing, and overall supervision

Personnel Selection and Positions

Qualifications High Caliber, well trained Proven proficiency in detection of impaired

driversAccurately perform SFST’sWillingness to participate fully in checkpoint

activities !!!!!!!!!

Personnel Selection and Positions

Initial Contact ProceduresEach agency/Checkpoint sponsor must

adopt and document it’s own initial contact statement

Based on needs and ops plan for CRSCThe Checkpoint line personnel must

follow the approved statement, without deviation

Personnel Selection and Positions

Roving Patrol Officers (RPO) optionalPatrol adjacent roadwaysMake stops as violations occurTransport drivers to be arrested to the CRSC

and process as if stopped in the CRSCPublic Information Officer (PIO)

Should handle all press releasesNeeds to be on scene if press is on scene

Personnel Selection and Positions

Traffic Control Person (TCP) OptionalWalks CRSC checking traffic control devicesCan survey drivers waiting to enter the

checkpointCan see if drivers change position prior to

reaching the line

K-9 Officer (optional)Follow procedures set forth in the ops plan

Personnel Selection and Positions

Other Specialized PersonsMulti-lingual personnelDRE

Checkpoint Operations

Pre-Checkpoint OperationsTask must be performed prior to the

checkpoint and must be documented in the OPS plan

Approval of the checkpoint from appropriate authority

Checkpoint Operations

Site selectionBased on appropriate criteriaNotification and permission of

property ownersApproval of traffic flow plan (if

required)Site diagram prepared and attached

to OPS plan

Checkpoint Operations

PIO does CRSC press releaseInteragency NotificationOfficer Notification

Checkpoint Operations

Checkpoint BriefingEveryone participating must attend the

briefing and sign inSign in sheetShould be held in a controlled areaReview officer safety issues

Checkpoint Operations

Contact ProceduresUse of Standard Greeting

Checkpoint OperationsSet Up

CO will designate set up crewEquipment to set up may include

Traffic conesPortable lightingVideo equipmentIntoxilyzerGeneratorsSign boards

Checkpoint Operations

Arrest ProceduresShould be outlined in the OPS planArrest documentationEach officer should fill out an activity log and

turn it in during the debriefing

Checkpoint Operations

Site Conditions and MaintenanceCO should monitor all areas of the CRSCTraffic control personnel should

maintain approach areaCO should take corrective action

Checkpoint Operations

Proper coordination

No plan is perfect, the CO should make changes as needed (Document !!!!)

Checkpoint OperationsItems that require monitoring

AssignmentsOfficer Safety Safety of civiliansAdjust traffic flow and selection

sequence (document)Document all changes

Checkpoint Operations

DOCUMENTATION

Extremely Important in maintaining the integrity of the stops and arrest made

The Data Collection Scribe should document all changes or activities

Checkpoint OperationsInformation that should be collected

Time CRSC openedNumber of vehicles that passed through the

CRSCNumber of vehicles diverted into the CRSCTime CRSC closedChanges in the stop sequence and whyUnreasonable delays and whyPeriodic time checks of flow (15 minutes)

Checkpoint OperationsData Collection Sheet

What ever means is used to collect the data will be scrutinized by the courtShould include

Name of scribeDate of CRSCStart timeStop Time

Checkpoint OperationsTotal number of vehicles passed through the CRSC

Total number of vehicles diverted and stopped

Average delayChange of SequenceTraffic Back upsResume after traffic back upNumber of oversized vehicles stopped and checked

Checkpoint Operations

Tear DownOfficers wear safety vestUse marked vehicles with emergency

equipmentInsure all equipment is returned

Clean up

Checkpoint OperationsPress Information DisseminationRelease

ASAPJust send stats, they can get after action report later

Send After-action report to:SAOHead of lead agencyHead of each agencyDrivers license- Administrative hearing officeMediaAny agency with interest