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OPD to receive new Breathalyzer
Vince Alexander
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Community
Oxford Police Department (OPD) plans to get a new high-tech Breathalyzer by the end of 2009, according to Sgt. Jim Squance.
Squance said the new equipment is the best and most advanced model of Breathalyzer available for computer testing. The new Breathalyzer will eliminate maintenance and proficiency testing on the machine, as compared to the current Breathalyzer.
Squance said the Ohio Department of Health along with the Ohio Department of Safety is supplying the new Breathalyzers to local agencies throughout Ohio.
Bret Atkins, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health, said the machines are purchased through the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"The Ohio Revised Code states that the Ohio Department of Health is required to certify the machines and their operators," Atkins said.
According to Atkins more than $6 million is coming from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fund the Breathalyzers in efforts to get drunk drivers off the road.
According to Squance the new Breathalyzer will come to the city at no cost.
"The new Breathalyzer will be fully funded by state," Squance said. "We are all very excited to be getting this new piece of technology."Â
Atkins said that all Ohio law enforcement agencies will receive a new Breathalyzer, including state highway patrol, police officers and sheriffs departments.
Squance said that the OPD is hoping to get one by the end of 2009. According to Squance, the delay in the obtaining a new Breathalyzer is due to the additional testing that must be completed for court purposes.
According to Atkins, one new Breathalyzer will be sent to an Ohio law enforcement agency as a pilot test case to ensure the courts of the accuracy.
"One of these new Breathalyzers is going to be sent to Clermont County as a test case and operations so that the courts can test them more," Squance said.
Squance said the new equipment is the best and most advanced model of Breathalyzer available for computer testing. The new Breathalyzer will eliminate maintenance and proficiency testing on the machine, as compared to the current Breathalyzer.
Squance said the Ohio Department of Health along with the Ohio Department of Safety is supplying the new Breathalyzers to local agencies throughout Ohio.
Bret Atkins, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health, said the machines are purchased through the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"The Ohio Revised Code states that the Ohio Department of Health is required to certify the machines and their operators," Atkins said.
According to Atkins more than $6 million is coming from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fund the Breathalyzers in efforts to get drunk drivers off the road.
According to Squance the new Breathalyzer will come to the city at no cost.
"The new Breathalyzer will be fully funded by state," Squance said. "We are all very excited to be getting this new piece of technology."Â
Atkins said that all Ohio law enforcement agencies will receive a new Breathalyzer, including state highway patrol, police officers and sheriffs departments.
Squance said that the OPD is hoping to get one by the end of 2009. According to Squance, the delay in the obtaining a new Breathalyzer is due to the additional testing that must be completed for court purposes.
According to Atkins, one new Breathalyzer will be sent to an Ohio law enforcement agency as a pilot test case to ensure the courts of the accuracy.
"One of these new Breathalyzers is going to be sent to Clermont County as a test case and operations so that the courts can test them more," Squance said.
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Interested Alum
posted 12/02/08 @ 9:54 AM EST
Maybe not. As reported in the Cleveland Plain Dealer today, "State reverses $6.4 million purchase order for controversial drunken-driving testing machine. (Continued…)
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