Sacramento Police Department Preliminary Alcohol Testing Procedures

SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS

410.15
PRELIMINARY ALCOHOL SCREENING (PAS) DEVICES 01-27-17

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to outline procedures for the assignment and use of Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) Devices.

POLICY

It shall be the policy of the Sacramento Police Department to properly maintain and calibrate PAS devices .

PROCEDURE

Although PAS evidence is admissible in court, it is not a substitute for chemical testing for blood alcohol as described in the California Vehicle Code. As such, there is not an "implied consent" incumbent upon a driver to comply with a PAS test.

1. GENERAL

   1. PAS devices shall be issued to all patrol sergeants and specialty unit supervisors.

   2. Sergeants shall ensure at least one PAS device is deployed in the field for each patrol team,

      patrol wagon and traffic team unless they are being calibrated.

   3. Additional PAS devices shall be available at each station.

   4. All PAS devices shall be returned at the end of each shift unless prior approval has been

      obtained by the Traffic Section Lieutenant.

   5. PAS devices will undergo maintenance and calibration on a weekly basis.

2. USE OF A PAS DEVICE

   1. Prior to administering a PAS test, officers should keep the suspect under observation for a

      minimum of 15 minutes and shall not allow the suspect to put anything unnecessary in their

      mouth.

   2. In accordance with California State law 23612 (i) VC, officers shall read the PAS

      admonishment (located on the back of the SPD 541-DUI Intoxication Investigation Cards) prior

      to using the PAS.

   3. A second test should be administered with at least two (2) minutes in-between tests. A test is

      considered one successful air sample.

3. REPORTING

1. All of the following shall be documented in the officer's report:

1. If the suspect was allowed to put any necessary item (prescription medication) in their

   mouth.

2. If unable to observe the suspect for 15 minutes prior to administering a PAS.

3. If unable to administer a second test.

4. If the subject was unable to blow a sample or a manual trap was used.

5. The serial number of the PAS device, temperature and time used.

D. MAINTENANCE AND CALIBRATION

1. Upon returning the PAS device for weekly calibration, officers shall document any problems

   with the PAS device on a note placed inside the device case.

2. Traffic Officers or other trained and designated personnel shall:

   1. collect and calibrate all PAS devices on a day of the week designated by the Traffic Section Lieutenant.

   2. maintain all calibration logs.

   3. submit certified copies of calibration logs to the District Attorney's Office when

      requested.

   4. ensure there is an adequate supply of mouth pieces at each storage area.

   5. ensure that there is an adequate supply of dry gas available and that it is being

      maintained within standards.

   6. with a Traffic Sergeant's approval, deliver PAS devices in need of repair to the State

      Department of Justice.

G.O 410.15