DWI Enforcement Program

The Ruston Police Department DWI Enforcement Program is a special enforcement program that operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night of each week. Officers working this program work these shifts in addition to their regular duties. The objective of this program is to reduce the number of DWI offenders on the streets of our city. This can be achieved through public awareness and education as well as through the enforcement process. The ultimate goal is to not only reduce the number of offenses, but to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents as well.

Periodically, the department will work with other area law enforcement agencies in establishing a temporary DWI Checkpoint. During a checkpoint, all drivers passing through are briefly stopped and screened. Due to the large number on citizen contacts, these checkpoints are very successful not only in identifying impaired drivers but in raising the public awareness.

The officers who participate in this program are trained in both the detection and the arrest of DWI offenders. They receive special training to help them in observing both the common characteristics as well as subtle traits exhibited by an intoxicated driver. Once they have contacted a suspected DWI offender, their training enables them to observe the suspected offender and identify some of the many effects of alcohol on him. If an arrest is made, their training then continues to aid them in the evidence collection and reporting process, and finally in their courtroom testimony.

This program has been in use by our department for several years, and is believed to be quite successful. Since its beginning, we have seen a significant decline in the number of DWI offenses and alcohol-related accidents in our community.