November 7, 2011 - There has been a tremendous amount of publicity questioning the accuracy and reliability of the Houston Police Department (HPD) Breath Alcohol Testing (B.A.T.) vehicles. There is a misconception that the Intoxilyzers in the B.A.T. vans are not reliable, which is incorrect.

The Texas Department of Public Safety's experts tested HPD's B.A.T. vans months ago. The Texas Department of Public Safety found the Intoxilyzers operated in an accurate and reliable manner despite claims to the contrary.

The Houston Police Department will continue to utilize protocols established by the State of Texas and continue periodic testing by the Department of Public Safety to ensure the accuracy of the Intoxilyzers used by the Houston Police Department.

We will continue to use the B.A.T. vans as valuable tools in the fight to help make our streets safer by removing drunk and impaired drivers from our roadways.

The Houston Police Department is committed to making our streets safer and maintaining the public's confidence in our struggle to keep the public safe from impaired drivers and ensure the integrity of the legal process.


-Police Chief Charles A. McClelland, Jr.