This scientific poster describes outcome and operational evaluations of in-vehicle videotaping of driving while intoxicated (DWI) suspects. The outcome evaluation examined the effects of videotaping on prosecution and adjudication of DWI cases. DWI arrest and adjudication data were examined for San Diego (California) and Binghamton (New Yersey). For both agencies, the conviction rate for all DWI suspects was 97%, The marginal effects on the conviction rate of any intervention, including videotaping, would be difficult to detect. The operational evaluation used a case study design to focus in-depth on ten police agencies using in-vehicle videotaping. Ninety-three officers and 8 prosecutors were interviewed. Although the results of the outcome evaluation are equivocal, the operational evaluation indicates that in-vehicle videotaping aids in enforcement and prosecution of DWI cases. In-vehicle videotaping is useful for enforcement other than DWI and for protecting officers and agencies against false allegations of improper conduct.
Abstract