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Enhanced Impaired Driving Enforcement

Author(s): Davis, Glover

Slidedeck Presentation Only (no paper submitted):

3c _ Davis

Abstract:

Since January 2016 the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has implemented a strategic plan for targeting impaired driving that leverages organizational data and analytical expertise to re-imagine what it means to conduct impaired enforcement. Through an analysis of the factors that have historically led to DUI arrests and charges, HRPS has created new measurables within the organization that focus on the precursors to successful enforcement. These new metrics are all about motivating the fundamentals of impaired enforcement (e.g. traffic stops, roadside tests, increased project time) and encouraging participation at all levels of the organization. Through the use of new technologies and analytics, our police service has demonstrated its commitment to combating impaired driving, reducing collisions and increasing road safety. Increase organizational participation (support and front line) in impaired driving enforcement to dramatically increase overall organizational results. Participation is inclusive of both operational and support elements of the organization. We recognize that an effective program requires a coordinated team approach that includes support units and civilian members. Using police data, the HRPS has produced a series of reports and analytical products for each level of the organization. Front line officers and supervisors are offered bi-weekly performance reports that detail individual and unit contribution. Officers who are found to have exemplary contributions are then offered overtime opportunities to continue their good work while supervisors are provided guidance on who should be designated for impaired duty based on historic activity patterns. Commanders are offered summary reports that detail how their districts are performing as well as recommendations on how best to allocate and deploy resources to make their efforts most effective. Finally, our Communications bureau is provided reports and recommendations on how their activity impacts response times and success rates for impaired enforcement.
The analytics unit has also developed several analytical web tools that are available to officers to help them determine how best to spend their time. Real-time, on-demand web tools are available to officers in their vehicles to help them target post-conviction enforcement of individuals charged with impaired offences. Furthermore, alcohol-related risk factors in the records management system are used to develop offender risk profiles that are available to officers for proactive intervention. Driving all of this activity is a fundamental focus on measurement, analysis and data-driven decision making, powered by both our dispatching system and our Records Management System (RMS). Thus far in 2017, roadside testing has increased by over 100% and impaired driving arrests by 22%.