11/21/2005 06:07 PM
Combating the Impaired Driver
Page 1 of 6
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/StopImpaired/CreatingImpairedDriving/pages/Austin.htm
Austin Police Department
Austin, Texas
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.
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 per formances and active nightlife at the many bars, restaurants, and music clubs
in the city.
Background / Planning Process
Prior to 1998, all traffic enforcement by the Austin Police Department (APD) was conduct