BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A new policy for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office allows most deputies assigned one of the 183 take-home vehicles to drive them for personal business, as long as the trips remain within the county limits.
The policy also states that deputies who consume alcohol must wait eight hours or have no alcohol in their blood before operating the assigned vehicles. The policy does not mention narcotics or prescribed medications that could interfere with the operation of a vehicle, or how deputies could ensure there is no measurable alcohol in their bloodstream.
The policy went into effect in January. On March 5, the sheriff sent it to Erie County legislators, some of whom are already raising concerns…