Police Role Description in the Media
Nelson Mieles
Police Role Description in the Media
CJA/333 Policing Theory & Practices
Instructor – Patrick S. Montes, MSCJ
University of Phoenix
May 18, 2010
Week One
Crime Fighter Men and women who fight against crime, not only in uniform of the police force they work for but also as civilians who want to keep their neighborhood free of crime, are considered Crime Fighters. This title is not limited to just men and women, it may also be a title for the piece of equipment that the police officers use. The article by Conor Berry of The Pittsfield Berkshire Eagle titled “Breath-test technology heads to Ma. Courtroom,” questions the efficacy and accuracy of the alcohol-detection device used in drunk-driving cases. The Alcotest 7110 is an alcohol-detection device used by Massachusetts police department. On September 23, 2010, Worcester District Court Judge Richard Sullivan is expected to hear testimony from Pittsfield attorney Leonard H. Cohen and other Massachusetts defense attorneys advocating for a legal position regarding the reliability of this device. To obtain answers about the dependability of test results about the Alcotest and to have it admissible in court of law, the company who manufacturers the device, a German manufacturer, needs to disclose information about the device. Such requirements need a judicial intervention. In the past, Alcotest’s manufacturer says that the information being sought was proprietary in nature and therefore off-limits to lawyers and the public. However, company officials at Drager, Alcotest manufacturer, have agreed to turn over the source codes. The source codes are a series of algorithms arranged in a way to implement Alcotest’s breath-testing sequence. This inferred breath-testing manner is “the only accepted method for evidentiary breath testing in the commonwealth” according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Cohen anticipates the issue will make it to the Appeals Court
Police Role Description in the Media
CJA/333 Policing Theory & Practices
Instructor – Patrick S. Montes, MSCJ
University of Phoenix
May 18, 2010
Week One
Crime Fighter Men and women who fight against crime, not only in uniform of the police force they work for but also as civilians who want to keep their neighborhood free of crime, are considered Crime Fighters. This title is not limited to just men and women, it may also be a title for the piece of equipment that the police officers use. The article by Conor Berry of The Pittsfield Berkshire Eagle titled “Breath-test technology heads to Ma. Courtroom,” questions the efficacy and accuracy of the alcohol-detection device used in drunk-driving cases. The Alcotest 7110 is an alcohol-detection device used by Massachusetts police department. On September 23, 2010, Worcester District Court Judge Richard Sullivan is expected to hear testimony from Pittsfield attorney Leonard H. Cohen and other Massachusetts defense attorneys advocating for a legal position regarding the reliability of this device. To obtain answers about the dependability of test results about the Alcotest and to have it admissible in court of law, the company who manufacturers the device, a German manufacturer, needs to disclose information about the device. Such requirements need a judicial intervention. In the past, Alcotest’s manufacturer says that the information being sought was proprietary in nature and therefore off-limits to lawyers and the public. However, company officials at Drager, Alcotest manufacturer, have agreed to turn over the source codes. The source codes are a series of algorithms arranged in a way to implement Alcotest’s breath-testing sequence. This inferred breath-testing manner is “the only accepted method for evidentiary breath testing in the commonwealth” according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Cohen anticipates the issue will make it to the Appeals Court
References: Berry, C (2010, May 16). Breath-Test Technology heads to Ma. Courtroom. The Pittsfield Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved May 16, 2010, from http://www.policeone.com. http://www.policeone.com http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23495648/detail.html Janssen, K., Main, F. (2010, May 16). Off-duty Ill. Deputy stood by as shoplifter was killed. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved May 16, 2010, from http://www.policeone.com.