This is the beginning of a series of articles on DUI enforcement for drug impaired drivers, and a continuation of the very popular DUI enforcement, and SFST's series. This article introduces officers to the problem of drug impaired drivers, the history of the Drug Recognition Expert program, and difficulties in prosecuting these cases. The ability to interpret, analyze, and … [Read more...]
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DUI Training – Personal Contact
PHASE II - PERSONAL CONTACT [EDITOR'S NOTE: Personal contact is the second part of a series on DUI Training for police. Other articles cover Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand, Vehicle in Motion, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus and specific safety concerns when conducting DUI investigations.] Here is where we begin to see police officers dropping the ball. Unfortunately, this part … [Read more...]
DUI Training – Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus
EDITOR'S NOTE: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus testing is Part 3 of a DUI Training series. Other articles cover Vehicle in Motion, Personal Contact, Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand, and specific safety concerns when conducting DUI investigations. We encourage our readers to view all of the posts to become familiar with the overall SFST battery of tests. HGN is a very important clue in … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Trooper Shooting: Lessons Learned
In November, 2017 two Pennsylvania State Police Troopers were involved in a harrowing fight for their lives with a drug-induced motorist intent on killing them. The incident began when a Trooper conducted a vehicle stop of a speeding motorist on Route 33 in Nazareth, a town near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Stopping motorists committing a traffic violation is one of the most common … [Read more...]
U.S. 10th Circuit: Taser Drive-Stuns Can Be Excessive Force
The United States 10th Circuit Court of Appeals has recently decided the case of Perea v. Baca and City of Albuquerque. The result will likely have widespread impact on officers across the country. The excessive force lawsuit against Albuquerque, New Mexico police officers was based on the officers use of a TASER™, mostly in "drive-stun" mode, during their attempt to subdue a … [Read more...]
Tactical Patrol – Mindset
[Ed. note: This is the first article in a police training series on tactical patrol. This training will focus your attention on the needs of patrol officers to be tactically minded and response capable. The other articles are on Patrol Response to Critical Incidents and Patrol Rifles.] One of the most basic tenets of law enforcement is the protection of life. “To serve … [Read more...]
D.U.I. Investigations – Safety Considerations
[Ed. note - This is the final part of a six part DUI Training series. Prior articles covered One Leg Stand, Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, Vehicle in Motion and Personal Contact.] In my previous articles on D.U.I. investigations I tried to refresh and condense the basics of locating, contacting, and testing suspected impaired drivers. In no way should an officer … [Read more...]
Fighting Hallucinogens
Twice in two nights this week, my officers had to fight people who were out of control on hallucinogenic substances. These drugs are a serious cause for concern for law enforcement. In the first instance, an officer rolled up on an unknown situation in the middle of a large intersection. A Good Samaritan was trying to hold down an out-of-control girl who was screaming … [Read more...]
Time to Cut the Police Training Budget: Public Priorities in the Nanny State
Time to jump up on the soapbox for just a minute. My chief sent out an e-mail to the department the other day. The e-mail was prompted by the pinheads over in the city council. You see, Florida voted on a constitutional amendment recently. I suspect the amendment will be pretty hurtful to a lot of commercial enterprises as it will shift a larger portion of the tax burden onto … [Read more...]