Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Training Opportunities

The Virginia Highway Safety Office is sponsoring the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved “Basic Standardized Field Sobriety Testing” (SFST) for law enforcement at the following locations during 2009:

1. Why should you attend this training?
   The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Program has been available to law enforcement for approximately 19 years, though emphasis on the program is being stressed now more than ever. Since the program’s inception, law enforcement ad prosecutors have utilized the program to make tremendous strides in the fight against impaired driving. However, defense attorneys have become more sophisticated in their defense techniques and use these to attack the credibility of the program with the intent to seek reduced penalties imposed on their clients. Many of these techniques involve the officer’s level of training, ability to testify, and knowledge of updates and/or current technical information regarding the SFST program.


2. Who should attend this training?
   Participants should be any law enforcement officer responsible for DUI enforcement who will actually use all aspects of the training, especially the three standardized field sobriety test.


3. What will the participant get out of the training?
   Participants will learn to: recognize driving behaviors and the indicators commonly exhibited by impaired drivers; become better detectors and better describers by improving their knowledge, attitudes and skills in detecting the impaired driver.


4. What subject matter does the course cover?
   The course presents a substantial body of information relevant to the entire DUI detection process, including the organization, presentation and articulation of the evidence gleaned from the process. It also presents supportive information to bolster the participant’s awareness of the importance of effective DUI enforcement.


5. DCJS Credits?
   Department of Criminal Justice Services, in-service credit, 36 hours general and 4 hours legal has been applied for, and in addition, this training meets all DCJS mandates for DUI training.


6. How do you register?
   Class size is limited to twenty-four (24) students per class and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
   
   To register please send email only to:
   Butch Letteer
   Virginia Highway Safety Office, Alcohol Programs Coordinator
   butch.letteer@dmv.virginia.gov
   
   Please include the student's name, agency, contact information (including email) and location desired. Confirmation will be emailed directly to the individual officer.