According to instructor Jarrod Manglona, the traffic section officer in charge on Rota, the training aimed to teach police officers basic knowledge on how to operate the new breathalyzer machine to detect the amount of alcohol on a person.
“DPS acquired the new breathalyzer machine in 2006. This is the first training for this year but the third batch since the machine arrived. We have trained a total of 42 police officers,” Manglona said.
He added, “The machine is fairly new, and we are lucky to have one of the 24 in the world.”
He said every police officer in the traffic section and most of those in patrol have to be certified.
Manglona said the course requirement covers 16 hours of training.
Prior to the acquisition of the new breathalyzer machine, Manglona said DPS used an older model which required an individual to blow into it long and hard so that the machine could detect the level fo alcohol.
“The new machine is easier for officers to operate, and easier for violators to blow into. It requires very minimal amount of air,” Manglona said.
The breathalyzer machine which DPS acquired through federal funds costs about $6,000, he said.
Manglona added that the breathalyzer machines for Rota and Tinian are already being ordered.
A person must have an alcohol level of .08 percent to pass the test, Manglona said.
“Violators need to fill out a form if they have the option to submit to the breath test by blowing into the machine. The breathalyzer machine will read how much alcohol is in their bodies,” Manglona said.
He added that if probable cause is established and the violator does not submit to voluntary breath test, he or she will be charged with refusal and DUI.
“When this happens, it’s up to the court to decide what they will do with the case,” Manglona said.
