Port Moody police have admitted to an administrative error that could potentially taint the results of 50 failed breathalyzer tests, following a CTV News investigation into the matter last week.
The department issued a statement Monday acknowledging that an officer had written an incorrect expiry date onto numerous forms issued for roadside bans in that Metro Vancouver municipality.
The case in question was won by lawyer Paul Doroshenko, whose client was able to reclaim his driver’s licence after failing two separate breathalyzer tests in August.
Doroshenko told CTV News last week he’s hoping to have all the impaired driving bans issued in Port Moody since mid-June overturned.
“You have no idea whether the device has been properly serviced,” he said. “I don’t think the public can have any confidence in this scheme when we repeatedly find these problems.”
Port Moody’s handling of the screening devices was also called into question in October 2011, when Doroshenko raised concerns about how they calibrated the equipment.
The department decided on disciplinary action for the officer responsible, but is still reviewing how many drivers were affected and what should happen to them.
Police admit to breathalyzer error
Read more: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/port-moody-police-admit-to-breathalyzer-error-1.960531#ixzz26nG3GyhF