SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Police Department (SPD) announced on Thursday that it was awarded two separate grants through the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) that will fund the hiring of two DUI-specific officers.
SPD says traffic fatalities are rising on the national level and within Spokane. They also say fatal crashes involving speed and impairment in Spokane have been trending upward.
The first grant funded by the WTSC is for a full-time DUI enforcement officer.
SPD started hiring full-time DUI enforcement officers in 2016. These officers work evenings and provide nearly 365-day coverage for DUI enforcement and WTSC overtime-funded patrols that operate during significant dates like holidays and sporting events.
The second position being funded by the grants is a newly created Impaired Driving Training Coordinator.
SPD says this officer will be in charge of impaired driving detection certifications for SPD and will educate community stakeholders on current drug trends with a focus on reducing impaired driving.
SPD says this officer will be available to educate current medical professionals, first responders, schools and other community member groups. The officer will be assigned to the Spokane Municipal DUI Therapeutic Court and will be available to respond to fatal and serious injury collision investigations.
“The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is pleased to partner with the Spokane Police Department to reduce impaired driving on Spokane roadways and increase public safety for everyone,” said Shelly Baldwin, the WTSC director.
