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USF Police Department

The University of South Florida (USF) Police Department takes an aggressive approach to traffic safety. In fact, several times a year, the USF Police Department participates in “Sobriety Checkpoints” on and around the USF Campus. The last checkpoint happened on August 11, 2018. The checkpoint operations at USF are usually followed by saturation patrols. In these saturation patrols, several officers saturate a particular areas looking for traffic violations.

If you were arrested by a police officer on or around the USF campus, you might also be facing a disciplinary action that could lead to your suspension or expulsion from the university. An attorney can help you at all stages of the case to minimize the consequences and fight for an outright dismissal of the charges.

Attorney for an Arrest by the USF Police Department

If you were arrested for DUI, or any felony or misdemeanor offense by police officers at the University of South Florida, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm.

DUI checkpoints are often found to be unconstitutional. Our attorneys aggressively fight any type of DUI checkpoint case. In fact, we have successfully fought cases involving DUI sobriety checkpoints conducted by officers at USF. In those cases, we have been able to file and litigate motions to suppress any evidence gathered during the checkpoint.

How Many DUI Checkpoints Does USFPD Have Each Year?

So far in 2018, USF Police Department has conducted only two sobriety checkpoints. Nine checkpoints were conducted in 2017. Seventeen checkpoints were conducted in 2016. Eighteen checkpoints were conducted in 2015.

The two most recent sobriety checkpoints at USF included:

August 11, 2018
- Tampa, FL: The University Of South Florida Police Department hosted a one-hour Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint on the USF Campus on August 17, 2018, from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A 6-hour saturation patrol will follow the checkpoint. During the checkpoint, the USF Police Officers sought to identify impaired drivers in an effort to make arrests for DUI so that the cases can be prosecuted in state court The operation is part of a comprehensive, collaborative approach to traffic safety by the USF Police Department.
April 7, 2018
- TAMPA: The University of South Florida Police Department hosted a one-hour Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint on the USF Tampa Campus on April 7, 2018, beginning at 9:00 p.m. A 6-hour saturation patrol followed the checkpoint. During this time, USF Police Officers sought to identify impaired drivers. Impaired drivers that are identified will face arrests and prosecution. According to the press release, the operation is part of a comprehensive, collaborative approach to traffic safety by the USF Police Department.

Example of an After-Action Report/Critique

After a checkpoint, the officers at the University of South Florida Police Department will prepare a memorandum that contains a After-Action Report/Critique. Reading the report is a good way to understand what happens during these checkpoints and the number of residents who are being detained. Once such memoradum is listed below.

Memoraudum

To: Capt. Klingebiel, Lt. Marckese

From: Ofc. R. Brightwell #469

Date: 08/17//18

Subject: Checkpoint No. 2018 – 03

After-Action Report/Critique

Date/location of Checkpoint:

08/17/18 & USF Maple Dr / USF Dogwood

Checkpoint Evaluation:

There were no injuries in this checkpoint operation. There were no arrests made.

Recommendation(s) regarding future operations:

Surveys of several areas to include additional on campus locations and off campus locations are under consideration at this time.

Delay Periods (number of occurrences and delay time):

There were no delays during this checkpoint.

Number of motorists stopped:

There were 70 vehicles stopped in this checkpoint.

Number of vehicles waived through Checkpoint:

There were no vehicles waived through this checkpoint

Number of arrests, by offense:

There were no arrests made during this operation.

Number of citations written:

There was 6 UTT issued during this checkpoint.

Number of faulty equipment citations:

None.

Copy of Press Release/List of Media outlets notified prior to Checkpoint:

Advanced administrative notification of this specific Sobriety Checkpoint was provided by Public Information Representative Audrey Clarke of the University of South Florida Police Department by means of a News Release provided at least 24 hours before the commencement of this Sobriety Checkpoint. This Checkpoint was also advertised on social media through the USFPD Facebook page.

Totals:

Number of Vehicles Checked: 70

Number of DUI Arrests/Officer’s Name: 0

Number of Felony Arrests/Officer’s Name: 0

Number of Other Arrests/Officer’s Name: 0

Number of Citations Issued/Officer’s Name: 6- Ofc. Bennett

The following information is related to the scheduled saturation patrol that followed the checkpoint:

There were 24 traffic stops conducted by USFPD officers with 5 UTT issued and 25 WW issued.
There was 1 arrest made by USFPD Officers during this saturation patrol.
There were 37 traffic stops conducted by Temple Terrace Police officers with 8 UTT issued and 33 WW issued.
There was 4 arrest made by TTPD Officers during this saturation patrol.

Additional Resources

Upcoming USF Sobriety Checkpoints – The USF website provides a lists the upcoming sobriety checkpoints listed by date with a link to the press release related to that event.