DRE Online Continuing Education Opportunity
Drug Recognition Expert Application
The Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program has received national acclaim for its success in identifying the drug-impaired driver. Officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) are frequently called upon to differentiate between drug influence and medical and/or mental disorders and is an extremely valuable tool in combating the adverse impact of drug and alcohol impaired driving in our communities.
DRE School is extremely demanding. To receive certification as a DRE, two phases of training must be completed. The following summarizes each phase:
ACADEMIC TRAINING: This phase is typically conducted over ten days (80 hours). It includes courses in physiology, vital signs, standardized field sobriety testing (SFST), and extensive information on each of the seven categories of the drugs of abuse. The training includes an SFST proficiency examination, five written quizzes, and three written examinations. Students mustachieve a minimum of 80% on the three examinations and must demonstrate proficiency in administering SFSTs in order to progress to the certification phase.
CERTIFICATION PHASE: After successfully completing the academic portion, students must complete the certification training phase. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the certification requirements within six months following the DRE School. These requirements include conducting a minimum of 12 drug influence evaluations while under the supervision of a DRE instructor, identifying subjects under the influence of four of the seven drug categories, and attaining a 75% toxicological confirmation rate. In addition, the student must maintain a certification progress log and rolling log and submit a written curriculum vitae (CV). Finally, the student must obtain the written endorsement of two certified DRE instructors.
Download the Application Here. Application Deadline is June 18, 2021
Submit the Application to:
Christopher Conway MD
Training Coordinator
Vermont Police Academy
317 Academy Road
Pittsford, Vermont 05763
Christopher.Conway@vermont.gov
(802) 483-2733 (office)
If you have questions about the program, please contact John Flannigan, Vermont DEC Program State Coordinator at (802) 999-7685 or john@flannigansafety.com
