Austin Police Reinstating 'No Refusal' Policy on NYE

As Translucence first pointed out, Austin Police Department is bringing back its "no refusal" policy on New Year's Eve, which requires that all DWI suspects who refuse a breathalyzer test be taken to Travis County Jail to have their blood drawn.

Earlier efforts this year during Halloween were touted as a success by APD, with over two dozen DWI suspects getting their blood removed by the county phlebotomist. The ACLU of Texas, on the other hand, had serious reservations about the policy, with state Executive Director Terri Burke saying, "the policy undermines public safety, could diminish community trust in law enforcement, and could expose police departments to increased liability."