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Board adopts SOP allowing trained officers to perform phlebotomy for OWI cases
Summary
The board approved SOP 48, a written policy enabling trained Madison police officers to collect blood in certain cases using State Department of Health procedures and state‑provided equipment; members asked about insurance and facility placement.
The Board of Public Works and Safety on May 4 adopted SOP 48, a written policy authorizing trained law‑enforcement phlebotomists to perform blood draws in targeted circumstances, primarily OWI cases.
Major Harris told the board the proposal mirrors the State Department of Health recommended procedure and comes at no direct cost to the city because the state provides training and equipment. "These are used for primarily, OWI cases where drug and alcohol suspected," Major Harris said, adding that the department intends to train enough officers to have one available each shift.
Major Harris clarified the policy does not remove the option to use hospitals for blood draws and that the state‑provided equipment includes a phlebotomy chair and related supplies. He said the department has already sent one officer through phlebotomy school and "we intend to send a few more so that we theoretically, we can have one available every shift." (Major Harris)
Board members asked about liability language in the draft policy and whether placing a phlebotomy station in the county jail had been resolved. Major Harris said the State training form included placeholders for 'Madison Police Department' and 'Jefferson County Sheriff's Office' and that the department had "investigated this with the insurance company." The board approved the SOP by voice vote.
What it does and does not authorize
SOP 48 authorizes in‑house blood collection by trained, certified officers following the State Department of Health procedure. It is intended primarily for OWI investigations; hospital collection remains an available alternative. The policy as presented included references to county jail placement as a possibility but staff said no permanent jail installation had occurred yet.
Next steps
Staff will proceed with training schedules and equipment deployment under the adopted SOP; the board signaled support but also recommended confirming insurance coverage and clarifying facility placement before expanding the program.
