Ohio police officers get drunk -- on purpose

[February 27, 2010]  DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Law enforcement officers in southwest Ohio were chugging down alcoholic drinks this week as part of a training exercise on how to give field sobriety tests.

Several police officers and deputy sheriffs in Montgomery County volunteered to drink so colleagues could practice conducting the tests given to suspected drunk drivers.

Dayton officer Will Wright says officials wanted officers to drink until they had slurred speech, glassy eyes and a lack of coordination.

One test required intoxicated officers to walk heel-to-toe down a line and then hold up one leg to demonstrate balance.

Wright says he hopes the exercise at the Dayton Police Academy helped officers gain a better understanding of how to deal with impaired drivers.

[Associated Press]

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