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Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Training

Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/11/2017 - 09/21/2017
3:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Location
Maryland Police and Correctional Commissions

Categories No Categories

The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training program relies heavily on the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests which provide the foundation for the DRE program.  Once trained and certified as a DRE an officer becomes highly skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.  DREs are trained to conduct a standardized and systematic 12-step evaluation consisting of physical, mental and medical components.

The DRE training program is intended for those officers who have an intense interest in impaired driving enforcement.  This program is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is overseen internationally by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

DRE training is broken into three phases; classroom, certification and final knowledge exam.  Classroom training consists of 9 days of in-class instruction.  Students must be able to attend all 72 hours of instruction.  Certification training immediately follows the classroom training.  Students should expect to attend five evenings of certification training.  The final knowledge exam is an all-encompassing exam and attendance is mandatory to be certified as a DRE.

This training is restricted to currently sworn law enforcement officers who have already successfully completed SFST training.  Officers interested should be willing to dedicate a large amount of their time during the classroom and certification phases.  Seating in limited.  An application must be completed to attend this training and the application must be approved and contain the signature of the applicant’s supervisor and commanding officer.  Applications must be submitted via email to the State Coordinator at thomas.woodward@maryland.gov .

Seating is limited, and officers interested should request to attend through their training coordinators.  An application will then be forwarded to them from the Agency DRE Coordinator.

Topics include:

  • The involvement of drugs in impaired driving incidents
  • The seven drug categories and their effects
  • How to administer the psychophysical and physiological evaluations used in the drug evaluation and classification procedures
  • Preparing a narrative drug influence evaluation report
  • Procedures for testifying in typical drug evaluation and classification cases
  • Injuries or illnesses that produces similar signs to alcohol/drug impairment
  • Effects of polydrug use
  • Drug use and the human body


Prerequisite: Successful completion of SFST School and approval by commanding officer.

What should I Bring and Wear

Students must bring note taking materials.

Dress is professional casual.

Dates, Times and Location

Please pay special attention to the dates and times listed below.

Dates/Times:

Classroom Phase: September 11-21, 2017 (15002300 hrs.)

Certification Phase: September 25-29 or October 2-6, 2017 (1600-2400 hrs.)

Final Knowledge Exam: October 16, 2017 (0900-1700 hrs.)

Location:  

Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions
6852 4th Street
Sykesville, MD 21784

Registration

To register please contact your respective DRE Agency Coordinator. Along with registering through their coordinator, interested students must download, complete and email a DRE Training Application to thomas.woodward@maryland.gov .

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Maryland Department of Health – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information

https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Novel-coronavirus.aspx