DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS

• Determine whether or not a driver was under the influence of a drug
• Determine what drug, other than alcohol, impaired the driver
• Gather and document sufficient evidence necessary to prosecute the driver on a charge of DUI/Drugs.

After the initial development of this program, both the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police endorsed the program and backed, not only it's development, but also it's acceptance within the legal and law enforcement communities. Each year, more states become part of the growing family of the DRE program.

The Stillwater Police Department currently has two DRE's: Sgt. Paul Bostick and Officer David Duncan. Sgt. Paul Bostick received his DRE certification on August 1, 1992 and then his DRE Instructor certification on August 18, 1996. Officer David Duncan increased our number of DRE's to two when he received his certification on August 1, 1993.

Once certified, Stillwater's two DRE's began working with other officers to build cases that involved drivers detained on suspicion of DUI/Drugs. Although their primary duties are geared toward DUI drivers arrested by SPD officers, they are often called on to assist the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State University Police, the Payne County Sheriff's Office, and many other agencies surrounding our jurisdiction. Our DRE's, however, may also be called in as consultants for building a case of probable cause for drug possession charges, or for screening Payne county prisoners suspected of drug intoxication upon their return from work release passes.

If asked, both Sgt. Bostick and Officer Duncan would tell you that the DRE certification process is the most difficult training they've ever received in their law enforcement careers. Initially, training as a DRE begins with a two week course, comprised of approximately 80 hours of intensive classroom lectures. Lecture topics include:

• Drug Origins (Development)
• Drug Symptomology (Effects)
• Physiology (Anatomy)

These series of classroom lectures are then followed by another 100 hours or more of practical experience. This "hands-on" training allows trainees to practice the drug screening process. Some of this training include:

• Developing Interview Techniques
• Conducting Sobriety Tests
• Collecting Physical Evidence

The course concludes with a daylong, final exam. This comprehensive exam requires some 20 to 25 hand-written pages and takes the average DRE trainee about 10 hours to complete.

The primary goal of the Stillwater Police Department Drug Recognition Experts is to lower the number of drugged driving incidents. While the arrest and conviction of DUI drivers can be a result of our activities, we aggressively pursue our goal of fewer DUI/Drug incidents through public awareness and education programs, and updated training within the local law enforcement communities.