Officer’s DWI-enforcement efforts recognized

An Eden Prairie Police officer was recognized this week for his DWI-enforcement efforts.

According to the recent entry of the Eden Prairie Police Department blog, Officer Chad Streiff made three DWI arrests during one shift three different times in February and March. The blog uses the hockey term “hat trick” (scoring three goals in a game by one player) to describe an officer making three arrests on one shift.

Since 2018, Streiff has had 13 hat tricks. He also had four DWI arrests on one shift and five DWI arrests on another shift.

Streiff serves as a full-time DWI officer thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. 

The EPPD blog noted a few notable arrests in Streiff’s recent arrests.

• After pulling over a driver for failing to signal a turn, Streiff observed that the driver had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol. He also noticed an empty bottle of vodka on the driver’s side floor. Although the driver denied he had been drinking, a breath test indicated his (BAC) blood alcohol content was .28 (.08 is the legal limit). Streiff also learned the driver had a previous DWI arrest in 2018. The driver was arrested for second-degree DWI and careless driving.
• In another instance, Streiff noticed a car in the center median near Highways 62 and 212. The driver said he had fallen asleep while driving. Streiff noticed the driver had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol. The driver’s BAC was .10, and he was arrested for fourth-degree DWI and careless driving. 
• Another driver was pulled over for driving 60 to 70 mph in a 45-mph zone. The driver did not stop right away and smelled of alcohol. His PBT (preliminary breath test) was .18, and marijuana was found in his car. He was arrested for third-degree DWI, among other charges. 
• Streiff made one of the arrests after responding to a car crash involving two vehicles. He found two damaged cars and debris on the road. The driver of one of the cars stated that another vehicle had pulled out in front of him faster than he expected and he rear-ended it. Streiff observed the odor of marijuana and the man’s glassy, bloodshot eyes. The other vehicle’s owner stated his car was parked on the side of the road in front of his house and was inside when he heard the crash. The driver admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. He had a BAC of .16, and marijuana was found in the car. He was arrested for fourth-degree DWI. 

As of March 31, when the blog was published, Eden Prairie officers had arrested 58 people for DWI in 2022.

“Because our officers can’t be everywhere, we rely on other drivers to be an extra set of eyes for us,” the blog stated. “If you observe a possible drunk driver, please pull over or have a passenger call 911 and provide dispatch with as much information as possible including location, license plate number and the observed dangerous driving behavior.”