Utica Officers Make Most DUI Arrests in State Based on Department Size

If drinking and driving is your modus operandi, then steer clear of Utica.

The 13-officer police force arrested 171 motorists for driving under the influence in 2011, according to Police Chief Dave Faber.

If you take the number of arrests, divided by officers, each officer made an average of 15 DUI arrests per year—compared to .03 DUI arrests made by the 2,800 officers on the Detroit police force, according to MLive.com.

Two Utica officers in particular are credited with making the majority of the arrests: Officers Ken Hunt and Matthew Kalunzy together made 127 DUI arrests out of the departments 171.

“These two officers do an outstanding job to make our community safer,” said Faber.

In fact, the two officers were among 13 Michigan police officers to receive a Lifesaver Award from Mother Against Drunk Driving for their roles in helping put an end to drunk driving. The officers were honored during a ceremony at the San Marino Club in July.

Utica’s Location Makes It a Hot Bed For Drunken Drivers

Faber told Patch he attributes the high frequency of drunken drivers to Utica’s location.

“We have M-59 running smack dab into the middle of town. It’s eight lanes of traffic. Everyone in the area is well aware that M-59 connects Mount Clemens to Pontiac, which are known to have a lot of nightlife,” he said.

The chief clarified that his officers are not directed to look for drunken drivers and they do not wait outside bars and restaurants waiting to nab people.

“We don’t treat any bar differently or target them,” he said.