Drink drive evidence is electronic

July 2011

Since introducing a computerised evidential Drink/Drive testing process PSNI has improved operational productivity and has a 100% success rate against challenges on testing procedures.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) covers a population of around 1.7 million across an area of 5,345 square miles.

The Service was aware that many Drink/Drive (D/D) cases were being contested because of mistakes made by officers during the complex testing procedure. The D/D process contains multiple options and routes so the demanding circumstances around an incident, combined with tiredness and other distractions could easily lead to mistakes. PSNI chose to install STL's LiBiS system which automates the entire D/D procedure to eliminate human error.

LiBiS ensures that D/D procedures are carried out consistently and accurately by providing officers with the requisite decision points, warnings, actions and prompts as well as keeping an evidential log of the process required to ensure a successful prosecution. The data is stored electronically so each file is secure, easy to retrieve and read, and only the relevant pages need to be printed, reducing time and paper wastage.

Constable John Garrett, PSNI Traffic Training, comments: "We are delighted with the way it works operationally as it saves time by speeding up the D/D procedure and avoiding duplicate data entry, and can deal with any situation however complex."

PSNI uses LiBiS at all its operational stations across Northern Ireland and has trained over 3,500 officers to date.

Constable Garrett explains the rationale behind choosing the system: "One of the attractions of LiBiS was that it offered full compatibility with our breath-test input system. LiBiS works intelligently with the Lion 6000 Intoxilyzers, picks up the appropriate reading and then guides the officer down the correct procedural path. It shares all relevant data, so it doesn't need to be entered twice, and will even check that the instruments are working correctly."

PSNI, which has been using LiBiS since 1998, prosecutes around 3,500 drink drivers every year. Inspector Rosemary Leech, PSNI Road Policing Unit highlights one of the core benefits of the system: "Since introducing LiBiS, to the best of my knowledge, we've never lost a case on procedure which used to be a common loophole for solicitors to exploit. The reliable combination of LiBiS and the Lion 6000 means that it is accepted amongst the legal profession that the D/D procedure is correct and there is no point in challenging it."

LiBiS provides a full audit trail of the D/D process, and key decision points to support prosecutions, so that any disputes can be easily addressed. This supports the CPS drive for 100% prosecution success rate in court.

Inspector Leech adds; "My feeling is that anybody who is recorded as being over the legal limit for alcohol shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car. For people to avoid a prosecution for this crime, it is one of the hardest for a police officer to take."

As well as ensuring the D/D process is adhered to, LiBiS offers police forces access to management information as it captures key data. PSNI is able to generate statistics around the number and types of drink driving incidents, which can be used as a comparison against previous years, as well as help create the typical profile of offenders including age, sex and ethnicity. "The figures are invaluable for providing input into strategy documents on areas such as road safety and educational programmes," explains Inspector Leech. "Also, the media frequently ask for crime figures so it's useful to be able to provide them with accurate data."

PSNI first installed LiBiS twelve years ago. John Garrett, who has been involved since the outset, describes his relationship with STL: "I've worked closely with the LiBiS software team since the beginning of the project and if I ever have any issues I'm able to speak directly to someone on the development side and they will personally resolve them."

"The LiBiS system is extremely easy to use, providing notes and advice to officers at every stage of the process, so we've never had a problem with anyone not being able to use it," reflects John.

In terms of the future, PSNI is enthusiastic about working with STL on the next evolution of the system. LiBiS net is web-based and will support the drive towards electronic case files.

While a D/D procedure can currently only take place at a police station, plans are to allow the process to be conducted anywhere whether it is by the side of a road, or a hospital. "This will increase officer productivity even further, as there is no need to travel to a station or wait for a machine to become available, plus the test is more accurate as it is immediate, "enthuses Rosemary. "I also believe that roadside testing is a very powerful visual deterrent to drivers and this is why the PSNI is so keen to see Roadside Evidential Breath Testing devices approved for operational use."

Inspector Leech concludes: "LiBiS provides safeguards both for the motorists and for police officers which don't occur during manual procedures. I can't envisage going back to the days where we didn't have software to guide officers through such a complicated process."