DUI Enforcement Unit
Mission
To identify and investigate drug and alcohol impaired drivers, and provide support to Highway Patrol, local and county agencies through training and logistical support.
Overview
The Metro Phoenix Highway Patrol Bureau is committed to promoting the safe and expeditious use of the highway transportation system. Impaired drivers on metropolitan freeways pose a threat to the safety and well being of the citizens of the State of Arizona. The Metro DUI Enforcement Unit was created to the detection, investigation, and arrest of alcohol and/or drug impaired drivers.
The DUI Enforcement Unit consists of one sworn sergeant, six sworn officers, and one civilian employee. The unit is dedicated to not only the arrest and prosecution of drug and alcohol impaired drivers, but in assisting other Highway Patrol officers with DUI investigations. This assistance includes, but is not limited to, drug recognition evaluations, phlebotomy, hospital follow up, collision investigation, and search warrants.
Training
Officers of the DUI Enforcement Unit teach at the Arizona Department of Public Safety Advanced Basic Academy, training new officers in the detection of impaired drivers, as well as procedures for successful investigation and prosecution. Officers in the unit also teach advanced officer training in the areas of Law Enforcement Phlebotomy, Drug Recognition, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. This training is for Highway Patrol Officers, as well as personnel from county and local jurisdictions.
Support
The DUI Enforcement Unit operates a DUI mobile processing van that supports Metro Phoenix Highway Patrol officers, other Highway Patrol districts, and local police agencies. The DUI van program has assisted in processing 5300 impaired drivers since its inception in 1996.