Creating Impaired Driver General Deterrence
Eight Case Studies of Sustained,
High-Visibility, Impaired-Driving Enforcement

EAST VALLEY DUI TASK FORCE
MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA

SUPER SATURATION PATROLS

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The East Valley DUI Task Force conducts one of the largest and longest-running impaired-driving enforcement programs in the country. NHTSA’s guide for conducting saturation patrols (DOT-HS-807-903), published in 1993, is based largely on the early experiences of the member agencies of the East Valley DUI Task Force. Since then, the task force has evolved into a year-round special enforcement program.

SETTING
Maricopa County is the Nation’s fourth most populous county and the 14th largest in the continental United States in land area, encompassing more than 9,220 square miles and 23 diverse communities distributed throughout what is known as the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix is the largest city within the county (population 1.3 million), followed by Mesa (440,000), Glendale (219,000), Scottsdale (202,000), and Tempe (170,000). Approximately 60 percent of Arizona’s 5.1 million residents live in Maricopa County. Only three other counties in the United States grew faster than Maricopa County during the last decade of the 20th century, and the population continues to soar, from 2,122,100 residents in 1990 to 3,524,175 in 2004, representing a 66-percent increase in just 14 years. During this period, Maricopa County evolved from a tourism and resource-based economy to a center for high-technology industries, including semiconductors, electronics, and aerospace components. As the seat of Arizona’s State capital, Maricopa County is the center of the State’s political activity. Also, more than 277,000 students are enrolled in local community colleges, Arizona State University, and the 11 private colleges and universities located within the county. It is likely that the population of Maricopa County will continue to increase as economists have predicted the Greater Phoenix Area to be the Nation’s “second-largest job growth engine” during the next 20 years.

BACKGROUND / PLANNING PROCESS
The saturation patrols conducted by the East Valley DUI Task Force require an enormous organizational effort, which is guided by the detailed procedures that have been established during two decades of sustained operation. Planning for each enforcement event begins months in advance and is accomplished with military precision, despite the complexities associated with coordinating the involvement of a consortium of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies, the courts, and other government entities. The planning process begins with an officer of the lead agency sending letters announcing the operation to the DUI Coordinators of all member agencies of the Task Force. Specific issues that must be addressed during the process include:

SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT METHODS
The principal component of the East Valley DUI Task Force program is the conduct of large-scale, highly-visible saturation patrols that focus on specific geographic areas within the eastern portion of Maricopa County. A multi-agency command post is established in a large, centrally-located parking lot. Several special vehicles, converted motor homes and large vans owned by member agencies are parked conspicuously to serve as bases of operation and processing facilities. A fax machine is located in one of the command vans and a judge remains on call during the operation to issue and transmit warrants authorizing forced drawing of blood if a violator refuses to provide a breath sample. A heavy steel chair, built by officers, also is available to restrain violators, if necessary. The chair is a clever aid to efficiency during high-volume operations; usually one glance at the scarcely-used device tames the most unruly or abusive drunk, permitting the continuous processing of DUI offenders to proceed unperturbed. Many of the officers are licensed phlebotomists, which allows them to draw blood samples immediately and without having to transport violators to hospitals and/or jails. It is amusing, at first, to observe an officer retrieve his kit from a motorcycle saddlebag and don his lab coat to prepare for drawing blood, but it is yet another example of efficiency at work; the practice costs less than other methods, saves officers’ time, and most important, allows officers to return to patrol more quickly.

Diagram of a typical East Valley DUI Task Force Command Post.

FREQUENCY OF OPERATIONS / DURATION OF PROGRAM
The East Valley DUI Task Force saturation patrol program began in 1986 as a holiday period DUI countermeasure. Within a few years, the original December campaigns were expanded to include Thanksgiving, then additional holidays and, eventually, other high-risk occasions throughout the year. The East Valley DUI Task Force gradually evolved into the current, year-round impaired-driving enforcement program. Now, approximately 30 large-scale saturation patrols are conducted each year, primarily during the following holiday periods and special occasions, but also between the usual holidays and events to foster the perception among drinking drivers that saturation patrols represent a continuous impediment to their dangerous behavior.

PARTICIPATION
The original five agencies that formed the East Valley DUI Task Force deployed a total of 20 to 25 officers for the initial operations, beginning in 1986. The numbers of participating agencies and officers doubled by 1990 and have continued to increase. Now, as many as 150 officers from more than a dozen agencies participate in East Valley DUI Task Force saturation patrols, making them among the largest, county-wide, multi-agency deployments in the Nation. The East Valley DUI Task Force has emerged as an important element in the law enforcement culture of the area; the task force binds the officers of the member agencies together in a tradition of pride and professionalism concerning DUI enforcement.

The Task Force’s special operations usually are conducted from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., but occasionally begin an hour earlier and continue until 4 a.m.. Patrol areas vary in size, for example, from a 35 square-mile section of Phoenix to a 60-square-mile area that encompasses portions of the cities of Mesa and Scottsdale and unincorporated areas of Maricopa County, depending on the number of officers available for the special duty. The large numbers of officers deployed during one of these operations results in the patrol areas usually becoming saturated to the extent that several officers pass by and/or offer assistance within the first few minutes of each enforcement stop. Camaraderie and friendly competition among the member agencies contribute to the large numbers of DUI arrests that are made during every saturation patrol conducted by the East Valley DUI Task Force. Officers from the following agencies participated in the deployments that were conducted during a recent special enforcement operation.

Officers, volunteers, and observers gather for a pre-deployment briefing.

Even the Task Force’s relatively small deployments of 70 to 90 officers generate considerable television and newspaper coverage of the event. (Note: A 70-officer deployment would be considered a major enforcement effort anywhere else in the United States, but it is small by local standards.) Dozens of civilian volunteers participate in the special operations by providing refreshments to the officers when they make periodic visits to their base of operations during all East Valley DUI Task Force enforcement events. Community and judicial support have helped sustain task force activities for nearly two decades. The large numbers of arrests resulting, at least in part from task force operations, motivated local prosecutors to develop a PowerPoint template that greatly reduces the preparation time for court cases. The prosecutor’s office reports that no cases have been lost in which the presentation tool has been used; it is a further example of innovation stimulated by the requirement to render high- volume operations more efficient.

PUBLIC AWARENESS / PROGRAM VISIBILITY
The large, brightly illuminated command center, several command vans, dozens of police motorcycles, and many other police and emergency vehicles in the area increase public awareness of the saturation patrols to all motorists in the vicinity. The special operations are so conspicuous that they attract considerable public attention and always receive coverage in local newspapers and on television and radio stations. The Task Force also has obtained the participation of several taxi companies that provide free transportation from bars during saturation patrols; the service is announced on radio and TV stations during the days prior to the special operations.

The Task Force’s publicity and education campaigns include press conferences, media interviews, public service announcements, and distribution of printed materials by the participating agencies and the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Press conferences are conducted throughout the year to announce Task Force activities and every saturation patrol is preceded by press releases and invitations to news organizations to observe the special operations, and followed by press releases with results of the enforcement efforts. The Task Force enjoys a mutually beneficial relationship with local reporters, because Task Force saturation patrols never fail to produce dramatic results (e.g., a record of 145 DUI arrests during the first of a series of saturation patrols in November 2003). A dedicated press line has been established for the officer in charge to leave voice messages with statistics and exceptional incidents for news reporters during task force operations. The service is updated every night immediately following the end of operations to provide 24-hour access to current information. Also, the Task Force conducts DUI Awareness Days at police departments and area shopping malls during which DUI processing vehicles are displayed and educational booths and interactive devices are provided to inform the public of the risks of impaired driving and to publicize the special operations.

FUNDING
Most officer participation is an overtime assignment, funded by grants from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Traffic Safety. Member agencies also redirect personnel from normal duties to support the program. Members of the East Valley DUI Task Force also solicit donations from businesses and industry and hold fundraising events.

LESSONS LEARNED
The principal programmatic lessons identified by the organizers of the East Valley DUI Task Force are presented in three categories. The first concerns some of the obstacles that were encountered and the actions taken in response, followed by a discussion of the features that are believed to contribute to the success of the program. Specific suggestions from the organizers are presented third.

OBSTACLES
Command and control issues.
Command and control can be a delicate issue with multi-agency operations. The organizers of the East Valley DUI Task Force addressed this issue by combining the normal chain of command with mission-specific leadership. That is, each participating law enforcement agency appoints a single agency coordinator to the Task Force, usually a ranking officer. The agency coordinator reports to the Task Force coordinator, a position that is rotated to a different agency each year. The Task Force coordinator is responsible for planning and implementing all special operations, which requires considerable communications and organizational skills. Problems or concerns that emerge are resolved among the task force and agency coordinators. Individual officers report to their agency coordinators. Having the support of their command staff is essential for officers to be full participants in task force operations.

Inter-agency communications.
Communication among officers from different agencies can be a problem because of differences in the radio equipment and frequencies used. For this reason, the task force and agency coordinators must establish an arrangement with the effected dispatchers prior to a special operation. If possible, a radio channel should be dedicated exclusively to task force use during the operation. The East Valley DUI Task Force also issues radios that were donated by the manufacturer for this purpose to ensure that all officers have communications capability.

Jurisdiction issues.
Arizona enjoys statewide jurisdiction for law enforcement officers. However, jurisdictional issues for law enforcement personnel must be resolved prior to conducting multi-agency operations.

PROGRAM STRENGTHS
The participating officers’ commitment to impaired driving enforcement is the factor that contributes most to the success of the East Valley DUI Task Force. Long hours of patrol can be difficult, especially during holiday periods when others are home with their families. However, the officers of the East Valley DUI Task Force are painfully aware of the consequences of alcohol-impaired driving and are sincerely committed to removing this source of crash risk from the streets of the East Valley. The knowledge that their enforcement effort saves lives fuels their commitment to improving traffic safety. The relationships that develop among the officers of the many participating agencies motivate one another and contribute to a shared understanding of the mission. That shared understanding fosters camaraderie and cooperation among the officers of the various agencies. Also, civilian volunteers and representatives of community organizations motivate and encourage the officers. The volunteers’ participation in task force events demonstrates that impaired driving is not only a law enforcement problem, but also a community problem.

SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PROGRAM ORGANIZERS

Plan ahead.
Planning is critical for a successful special operation. Planning begins as early as August for the series of saturation patrols conducted by the East Valley DUI Task Force during a 14-day period in December. A weekend operation may only require coordination one month in advance. Several months of meetings and planning usually are necessary for each operation added to the task force’s calendar of events.

Communicating with affected court jurisdictions during the planning phase allows court managers to prepare for the case load and facilitate the proper flow of written reports. Generally, the agency coordinators collect the reports from their officers during the special operation, make copies, then send the copies to the appropriate court(s). The coordinators retain the original reports for the authoring agency. The reports must be completed and distributed promptly.

Involving court personnel and prosecutors in the planning phases relieves their apprehension about the special operations and benefits the program by providing access to important information (e.g., potential schedule conflicts, legal issues) and obtaining their support.

Inviting prosecutors to special enforcement operations can benefit relations between law enforcement agencies and the courts, and even increase DUI prosecution rates. Observing a saturation patrol helps prosecutors develop an understanding of the magnitude of the impaired driving problem, and like most observers, they are impressed by the officers’ professionalism and commitment to DUI enforcement. The experience encourages prosecutors to hold offenders accountable. Prosecutors have become an essential component of the East Valley DUI Task Force.

Prepare maps and other materials.
Prepare maps of the special operations area that depict court jurisdictions and court locations, and list the hearing dates for each court. The maps will assist officers who are unfamiliar with the area in citing offenders into the proper court.

Involve the news media.
Newspapers, television, and radio can reach far more people than the members of the task force by themselves. Fostering good relations and being responsive to reporters’ deadlines will help educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving and contribute to awareness of the special enforcement program.

Recognize and reward.
Agency coordinators should recognize the efforts of their participating officers. A simple certificate of appreciation for each participant and, perhaps, a commendation for top performers will go a long way toward encouraging members to return for the next special operation.

Don’t waste time reinventing the wheel.
Multi-agency task force operations are conducted throughout the country. Contact other agencies, request information about their procedures, and incorporate what appears to be the most relevant advice in the planning process. Organizing and coordinating the activities of a multi-agency task force can seem overwhelming, but the contribution to a community can be well worth the effort.

EVIDENCE OF PROGRAM EFFECTS
Between 70 and 200 DUI arrests are made during each saturation patrol conducted by the East Valley DUI Task Force; participating officers made a total of 1,866 DUI arrests during the 2002 holiday deployments and 2,135 arrests during the same period in 2003. Many arrests continue to be made during each saturation patrol, despite the extensive publicity, news coverage, and frequency of these large-scale, special enforcement operations. The continuing large numbers of arrests may be attributable to the continuous population growth of the area.

The following table shows the numbers of alcohol-related fatal crashes, total crashes, and the proportions of all crashes that were alcohol-related in the United States, Maricopa County, and in all of Arizona less the Maricopa County values. (Note: The East Valley DUI Task Force conducts its special operations in the more densely populated eastern third of the county.) The table shows that the proportion of alcohol-related fatal crashes in all of Maricopa County declined by 14 percent in 2002, compared to the previous year, while the proportion declined by only 2 percent in all other regions of Arizona, and increased by 3 percent nationwide. The changes are illustrated in the accompanying figure.

FATAL CRASHES IN THE U.S., MARICOPA COUNTY, AND OTHER AREAS OF ARIZONA
IN THE YEARS 2001 AND 2002

Note: Lieutenant Bill Peters of the Mesa Police Department and Sergeant Chris Andreacola of the Tucson Police Department have developed a 50-slide PowerPoint presentation that describes in detail the steps necessary to organize a multi-agency task force for the purpose of conducting frequent, high-visibility, impaired-driving enforcement operations.

CONTACT
Lieutenant Bill Peters
Mesa Police Department
130 North Robson Street
Mesa, AZ 85201-6697
480-644-5036
william.peters@cityofmesa.org