Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
505 Delano PD Policy Manual
CHECK POINTS
505.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes guidelines for supervisors and officers to successfully prepare for and
conduct a DUI check point. These guidelines provide intructions for the physical construction and
operation of sobriety / driver's license checkpoints in order to maximize the deterrent effect and
increase the perception of the "risk apprehension" of motorists who would operate a vehicle while
impaired by alcohol or drugs. The following criteria is required by this policy;
• supervising officers must make all operational decisions;
• the criteria for stopping motorists must be neutral;
• the checkpoint must be reasonably located;
• adequate safety precautions must be taken;
• the checkpoint's time and duration should reflect "good judgment";
• the checkpoint must exhibit sufficient indicia of its official nature;
• drivers should be detained a minimal amount of time; and
• roadblocks should be publicly advertised in advance.
505.2 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Delano Police Department to implement a sobriety checkpoint program.
This will be done as part of a comprehensive traffic enforcement program to promote traffic safety
within the community. The check point program should satisfy all legal requirements by minimizing
the amount of intrusion or motorist inconvenience, provide for objective site selection based on
relevant data, provide public information and education to maximize deterrent effect and heighten
awareness about the dangers of DUI and to have a systematic procedure for data collection and
after action analysis to ensure consistency and standardization of the check point program.
505.2.1 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
Command staff will authorize conducting an impaired driving check point and assign the operation
to supervisory personnel who have been instructed in the statutory requirements and procedures
related to conducting a check point. Operational procedures shall be covered prior to each check
point during the operations briefing. The Sergeant in charge of the operation shall determine
where, how and when the check point will be conducted.
505.2.2 CHECK POINT STAFFING
Each check point will be supervised by a uniformed sergeant. The sergeant shall be responsible
to having sufficient number of uniformed officers to conduct a check point taking into consideration
motorist and officer safety. A minimum of four officers and four support staff will be required at
the check point.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. CHECK POINTS - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department