Bismarck PD puts brief hold on breathalyzer testing due to COVID concerns

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Due to coronavirus safety precautions, the Bismarck Police Department put a brief hold on the use of breathalyzer’s during DUI traffic stops.

Officer Lynn Wanner with the Bismarck Police Department says Officers used blood draws in March instead of breathalyzer’s as a COVID-19 safety precaution.

“We have the option to take blood, breath or urine, and it’s the officers choice for a DUI, but at the point rather than having them submit into the breathalyzer we do a blood test,” said Wanner, an Officer with the Bismarck Police Department.

Wanner says once the Department received gloves and masks in early April, they went back to performing intoxilyzer tests on drivers suspected of driving under the influence.

These changes are just one of many precautions officers are using while coming into contact with community members every day.