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Main Page Breathalyers
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Posted by: scpd1

I'm looking for portable breath testers for our department. Any info. would be helpful.

Posted by: Harley387

You should contact the OATS office. There is a list of approved PBT devices. I don't recall how many were on that list, but it was a limited number.

Posted by: VSP Troop

We use the Alco-Sensor IV. Very accurate and easy to use.

Posted by: Mikey682

Contact Tpr J. Jakobowksi at the Office of Alcohol Testing @ Devens for the list of approved devices and vendors. Once you obtain a PBT unit(s), call area PD's or a local SP Barracks. Many of the station BT maintenance personnel are also trained as instructors and can run a short class to your officers. The SP Personnel at O.A.T. will probably know the nearest and best instructor to go to your agency and run a quick PBT Operator class. I use an Alco-Sensor unit, and although slow to return a reading, it's pretty die-hard and reliable.

Posted by: Irish Wampanoag

PBT are not admissible in court. Field Sobriety Test and PBT can just back up your suspicions.

Posted by: scpd1

I appreciate the advice. Will be making the call.

Posted by: jdmac33

Drager Alcotest 6510 PBTs are very reliable and accurate. I use mine on every OUI stop if they consent to taking it. The readings are usually dead on to the BT machine at the station. Good luck.

Posted by: Edmizer1

I like PBTs and they have a place but be careful. I've seen FSTs that were borderline and then the officer uses a PBT and gets reading of (.08. The question is what to do next? There is a permanent record of the test. You almost have to arrest. If an FST is ok, I don't use the PBT so I don't get painted into a corner.

Posted by: Harley387

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmizer1

I like PBTs and they have a place but be careful. I've seen FSTs that were borderline and then the officer uses a PBT and gets reading of (.08. The question is what to do next? There is a permanent record of the test. You almost have to arrest. If an FST is ok, I don't use the PBT so I don't get painted into a corner.

I'm curious as to what your referring to when you say there's a "permanent record of the test"? Are you referring to your report? I don't know of any PBT that produces a permanent record.

Posted by: Edmizer1

At least the PBTs we use which are on the approved list from OAT have a number for each test which we have to log in a paper format. OAT will download the tests when the machine is recerted. I guess they could compare the tests to the log but I'm not sure if they do. If there is ever an incident where a cop lets a person walk after a test you can bet the results will be looked into.

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