What is the officer looking for during the initial detention at the scene?
Police officers are trained to note the following “indicia of intoxication” on their report:
- Flushed face
- Red, watery, glassy, and/or bloodshot eyes
- Odor of alcoholic beverage on the breath
- Slurred speech
- Fumbling when getting the driver’s license
- Failure to comprehend the officer’s questions
- Staggering when exiting the vehicle
- Swaying/instability
- Leaning on the car for support
- Combative, argumentative, jovial, or another “inappropriate” attitude or behavior
- Soiled, rumpled, or disorderly clothing
- Stumbling while walking
- Disorientation as to time and place
- Inability to follow directions or to “divide attention”
