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Course Catalog > DUI Enforcement

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) School   

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What is a Drug Recognition Expert?

A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is an officer who has received specialized training and has been certified by the International Association of Chief's of Police to evaluate suspects and determine:

  • If the subject is impaired
  • What drug category(s) is/are causing the impairment
  • If a medical condition is causing the impairment

There are more than 8,000 officers certified world wide…approximately 1.1% of all certified law enforcement officers.

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 two weeks (80 hours). It includes courses in physiology, vital signs, standardized field sobriety testing (SFST), as well as extensive material on each of the seven categories of the drugs of abuse. The training includes two written examinations, an SFST proficiency examination and five written quizzes. Students must achieve a minimum of 80% on the two examinations, and must demonstrate proficiency in administering the SFST in order to progress to the certification phase. The academic training is conducted utilizing creative, participant-centered teaching techniques.

Certification Phase

After successfully completing the academic portion, the students return to their division of assignment. 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; passing a comprehensive final knowledge examination, and obtaining the written endorsement of two certified DRE instructors that supervised their training evaluations.

How does a law enforcement officer in Florida become a DRE?

  • The officer must request an application from the State Coordinator, Tim Cornelius.
  • The officer must have completed the 24-hour NHTSA DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Training (SFST) course and demonstrate proficiency in all tasks. The officer should have experience in detecting and arresting DUI's to include testimony in court.
  • The officer must have completed the 16-hour NHTSA Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) course.
  • The officer will be required to obtain a written endorsement from an Assistant State Attorney in the officer's circuit.
  • The officer must also be recommended by his/her Chief or Sheriff and the recommendation of another DRE is highly recommended.
  • Applicants can also receive information from one of the Regional DRE Coordinators.

This course is by application only. No registrations are accepted. Lodging at the pre-selected hotel will be covered.

For more information, please visit: www.decp.org

The DRE Program is funded for Florida officers by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Related Courses

This course is not eligible for certificate discounts.

Regional Coordinators

Florida DRE Coordinator

Tim Cornelius
Institute of Police Technology and Management 
t.cornelius@unf.edu

Region I

Detective John Cullen 
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office 
john.cullen@jaxsheriff.org  

Region II  

Lieutenant Allan Kolak
Cape Coral Police Department 
akolak@capecoral.net  

Region III  

Officer Kevin Millan
Miami Beach Police Department
kevinmillan@miamibeachfl.gov  

Region IV - FHP and FWC  

Lieutenant Channing Taylor
Florida Highway Patrol
channingtaylor@flhsmv.gov  

This course is not eligible for certificate discounts.
 
 

Policies

Schedule Changes

This schedule is subject to change without notice. If you have not received an official confirmation email prior to the first day of class, please contact us at (904) 620-4786 or info@iptm.org before traveling or making airline reservations.

Registration and Fees

Full payment must accompany all registrations. You may register online and pay with your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit card, or you may download a Registration Form and mail it to IPTM with a check.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Complete the Cancellation Request Form and return it to IPTM. No telephone cancellations will be accepted. A 20% administrative fee will be assessed to all refunds if the cancellation request is received within 14 days of the course start date. In lieu of a refund, student substitutions can be made or a credit can be issued for a future course. No refunds will be given for no-shows. If materials for an online course were sent to the student, the appropriate materials and shipping costs will be deducted from the refund amount. Materials may be returned to IPTM in their original condition at the student's expense. Once IPTM has received and inspected them, the refund will be processed.

Due to the automated format of online independent study courses and Videos on Demand (VoDs), no refunds or substitutions can be made after registration.

Course Confirmations

A minimum number of registrations must be received for an in-person class to run as scheduled. When the minimum criterion has been met, written confirmation will be emailed to you. Please do not travel or make airline reservations until you receive written notification confirming that the course will run as scheduled.

Transportation and Lodging

Most locations are served by several major airlines. Transportation, food and lodging are the responsibility of the student. For information on training locations, please visit our Locations page or call us at (904) 620-4786. For courses in Jacksonville, the University of North Florida maintains a list of area hotels on the Campus Travel Management page.

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