A WA parliamentary question on notice requests information on the cost of random breath tests (RBTs) conducted by the WA Police Force in 2000 and the blood alcohol content (BAC) levels of those charged. The response details the breakdown of BAC levels and explains why providing an exact cost is difficult and resource-intensive.

AnsweredQoN 994Legislative Assembly
Asked
30 August 2001
Member
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Of the 640 000 random breath tests (RBT) driver stops conducted by the Western Australia Police Force in 2000 and the 4 834 charges laid, what was the cost, in terms of wages and salary payments to the Police Service, of conducting these RBTs?
(2) How many of the 4 834 charges laid were against persons with a blood alcohol content above 0.08% between 0.05% and 0.08% and below 0.05%?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
15 November 2001
Responded by
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
77 days
Cost in terms of wages and salaries are not included in the RBT statistical return. It would be difficult to estimate the total cost for wages and salaries due to the following: · Differences between rank of officer’s involved in RBT operations (different pay rates for each rank); · Differences between mode of operation for the RBT (stationary roadblock or mobile police vehicle stopping individual vehicles); · Differences in the amount of time taken to issue each charge, depending on the location and nature of the charge i.e. summons, infringement or arrest. In order to obtain an approximate cost, each Police Station and Section of the Police Service involved in RBT operations would need to submit individual reports for the period in question. This would be a time consuming, resource intensive exercise and would divert policing resources from the front line. (2) Of the 4834 charges: 3646 persons had a BAC above 0.08% 885 persons had a BAC between 0.05% and 0.08% 144 persons had a BAC below 0.05% 124 persons were charged with refusing a test The remaining 35 charges relate to the number of persons who underwent a blood test. Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.
In order to obtain an approximate cost, each Police Station and Section of the Police Service involved in RBT operations would need to submit individual reports for the period in question. This would be a time consuming, resource intensive exercise and would divert policing resources from the front line. (2) Of the 4834 charges: 3646 persons had a BAC above 0.08% 885 persons had a BAC between 0.05% and 0.08% 144 persons had a BAC below 0.05% 124 persons were charged with refusing a test The remaining 35 charges relate to the number of persons who underwent a blood test. Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.
(2) Of the 4834 charges: 3646 persons had a BAC above 0.08% 885 persons had a BAC between 0.05% and 0.08% 144 persons had a BAC below 0.05% 124 persons were charged with refusing a test The remaining 35 charges relate to the number of persons who underwent a blood test. Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.
Of the 4834 charges: 3646 persons had a BAC above 0.08% 885 persons had a BAC between 0.05% and 0.08% 144 persons had a BAC below 0.05% 124 persons were charged with refusing a test The remaining 35 charges relate to the number of persons who underwent a blood test. Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.
The remaining 35 charges relate to the number of persons who underwent a blood test. Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.
Statistical Notes: (a) The statistical data refers to RBT charges during the 1999 – 2000 financial year. (b) BAC means Blood Alcohol Content.

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