Chicago DUI lawyer comments about contractual changes for Chicago Police spurred by high profile DUI arrests

This Chicago DUI lawyer has posted here, here, and here about Chicago Police Officers charged with DUI. Now news has come of significant changes to police contracts.

February 8, Chicago, IL

Chicago Police lieutenants and captains would face random alcohol testing at any time, mandatory drug and alcohol testing whenever they they[sic] fire their weapons and be prohibited from drinking four hours before duty, under contracts ratified Monday by a joint City Council committee.

Some aldermen expressed concern that City Hall may be over-reacting to high-profile incidents involving officers and alcohol.

"If the guy's at work and he's been drinking, it does not necessarily mean that the guy's a dipsomaniac. He just had a drink. So, how do you deal with that?" asked Ald. Ed Smith (28th).

Lieutenants and captains whose random Breathalyzer tests range from .02 to .04 will be taken off-duty that day, re-tested the following day and randomly tested for the next six months. If they stay straight throughout that probationary period, their records will be wiped clean, Franczek said.

If they test positive again, they'll be subject to disciplinary action by the Internal Affairs Division.

Chicago Police officers are arrested for DUI at a far lower rate than drivers as a whole, but a number of high-profile incidents have put the issue on the political front-burner.

In 2006, drunken off-duty officer Anthony Abbate was caught on videotape beating a female bartender. He was convicted in the attack, sentenced to probation and fired.

Other off-duty officers were charged in a highly publicized brawl at a West Loop bar that happened weeks after the Abbate incident. Those officers were acquitted and reinstated to their jobs.

Last year, two off-duty Chicago Police officers who had been drinking were involved in fatal accidents.

I guess it's just a matter of time before these rules are put in place for all officers.