Many courts will not qualify a DRE as an expert or allow a DUI officer to testify about HGN unless he or she has received training from a medical professional. This course will provide the medical and scientific foundations of the various components of the DRE protocol, including the eye tests, vital signs and psychophysical and divided attention tasks. Common medical conditions, rule-outs and alternative explanations for observed signs will be discussed. The course will include numerous videos, classroom demonstrations and an alcohol workshop.
This program is intended for officers who are Certified Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), DUI instructors, SFST practitioners, and prosecutors who handle DUI and drug cases.
Topics Include
- Anatomy and physiology of the eye and the central nervous system
- Development and control of eye responses
- Use and abuse of drugs
- Effects of drugs on the body, the eyes and perception
- Effects of medical and environmental conditions
- Testing of eye signs
- Legal aspects of testing at the traffic stop and the DRE evaluation
- Trial preparation
Audience
Drug Recognition Experts, experienced DUI officers, and prosecutors
This class is restricted to active law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys employed by governmental agencies.
Florida Students: FDOT grant-funded seats are available to Florida sworn law enforcement personnel (federal and military law enforcement personnel in Florida do not qualify).
Course Length
24 hours
Note(s)
This course satisfies the DECP standards for recertification requirements for Florida DREs.
Related Courses
What Our Students Are Saying
- “Outstanding across-the-board. Practical for use on the road and court. Learned more the first hour of this class than all others in reference to HGN/VGN.” – D.L.
- “Very detailed and oriented to real use in enforcing DWI trials/testifying in court.” – J.W.
- “Instructor is extremely knowledgeable on all topics covered and able to teach at a level that all students can understand and absorb.” – C.S.
- ”Very in depth about the visual aspects of HGN and other disorders that mirror impairment.” – C.M.
- “Extremely in-depth physiological look into the foundations of the [HGN] test. Very reminiscent of my pre-med curriculum. Very thorough.” – G.G.
- “Dr. Citek is by far the strength of the class. The way he can relate the complex terms used so that it makes sense to an LEO is amazing and it makes it easy to understand.” – R.B.
- "Dr. Citek was absolutely phenomenal and extremely knowledgeable. I enjoyed his class and superb knowledge of the subject. I will definitely take the class again. – Ofc. M.A..