Austin Police Could Become Phlebotomists for DWI Blood Draw

Blood draw plan is part of department’s fight against Texas DWI in Austin.

Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo recently announced a plan to train officers to draw blood from motorists suspected of driving while intoxicated in Texas. A new development in the controversial plan can be found buried in an agreement between the police department and Travis County. An amendment to the agreement stipulates that the county jail must provide space for a phlebotomist, which is a person trained to draw blood.

While the laws of Texas clearly limit who can legally draw blood in any situation, Acevedo wants APD officers to be trained to do just that in cases of suspected Texas DWI. Austin Texas DWI defense attorneys and civil rights organizations say the blood draw plan is a violation of a citizen’s Fourth Amendment constitutional rights.

The Austin police department is currently waiting for a grant to fund the program. It is also subject to approval by the Austin city council and the Travis county commissioner’s court.

Have you been arrested for DWI in Austin, Texas?