This report describes factors that were found to influence police officers' arrests of persons suspected of alcohol-related (A/R) traffic violations, and presents recommendations for treating these factors so that a higher level of enforcement might result. Conclusions and recommendations were derived from data obtained during a survey of eleven law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. These data included factual descriptions of recent A/R investgations, attitudinal measurements, and anecdotal information elicited from 267 police patrolmen and 85 police supervisors. Additional data were obtained through interviews of prosecuting attorneys, judges, and other civic officials. Through this survey, numerous factors were identified that positively or negatively affect the arrest/no arrest decision in A/R situations. Recommended actions for addressing these factors deal with law enforcement policies and procedures; training of patrolmen, supervisors and commanders; the adjudication system; and legislative revisions.
Abstract