Washington State Patrol
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Impaired Driving Section· OverviewThe Impaired Driving Section (IDS) is made up of the Breath Test, Drug Evaluation and Classification, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Ignition Interlock and Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Programs of the Washington State Patrol. The Impaired Driving Section also coordinates and supports the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU), which is a self contained 36 foot motor home that travels across the state in support of all law enforcement efforts during Driving Under the Influence emphasis’s. The MIDU is equipped with three breath test instruments and two holding cells to effectively and efficiently process impaired drivers in a faster manner which subsequently gets the patrol officer back on the road in minutes. Impaired Driving ProgramsBreath Test ProgramThe Breath Test Program (BTP) manages, maintains, and certifies the calibration of more than 220 evidentiary breath testing instruments in the state. The instruments are used for over 40,000 tests annually. The BTP is comprised of 13 technicians, two sergeants and one administrative assistant. The technicians provide operator certification and re-certification training for over 8,000 police officers throughout the state. The technicians offer expert witness testimony in support of the statewide breath alcohol testing program. The program compiles computerized statistical data and analysis related to DUI enforcement to members of the criminal justice community. Breath Test Program public records, including DataMaster database records, signed affidavits and repair certifications, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and curriculum vitae, are available online at our Web Based Discovery Materials Site (WebDMS). Please note that WebDMS will be updated weekly. If you have questions or comments or do not find the records you are seeking, please contact the Breath Test Program at breathtest@wsp.wa.gov or call the Breath Test Program of the Washington State Patrol in your local area at:
Drug Evaluation and Classification ProgramThe Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DEC) began in February, 1996. A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is a law enforcement officer trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to, alcohol. Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) are trained to recognize the symptoms of intoxication for seven different categories of drugs. A DRE conducts a standardized, diagnostic 12 step examination of persons arrested or suspected of drug-impaired driving or similar offenses. Based on the results of the examination the DRE develops an expert opinion. The Washington State Patrol coordinates the DRE program for the state of Washington. Impaired driver training is provided to all law enforcement agencies in the state. Many law enforcement agencies in the state of Washington participate in the Drug Recognition Expert program. Currently there are over 200 Drug Recognition Experts in the state of Washington who perform over 1,600 evaluations annually. Ignition Interlock Program The Impaired Driving Section (IDS) is responsible for monitoring all aspects of the Ignition Interlock Program. IDS, through legislative mandate, certifies ignition interlock manufacturers to conduct business in Washington State. This program also monitors ignition interlock installers by conducting annual onsite audits to verify the devices are being calibrated and installed under state guidelines. Citizens, required to have the device installed, are subject to random compliance checks and review of their individual device’s database. The state interlock coordinator provides educational training and presentations to law enforcement and the ignition interlock community to insure the continued viability of the program. Traffic Safety Resource ProsecutorsIn August 2009, the Washington State Patrol welcomed two Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors (TSRP) into the Impaired Driving Unit. Funded by grants from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Moses Garcia and Courtney Popp now serve as statewide resources for prosecutors and law enforcement on legal issues involving impaired driving. Coming from varied backgrounds of city/appellate and county prosecution, the TSRPs help ease the burden that difficult impaired driving cases make on our state’s prosecutors by aiding with trial preparation, predicate questions, case review, briefing preparation, research of novel legal issues, or serving as second chair at trial. In addition to their work with prosecutors, the TSRPs will respond to queries from law enforcement and other stakeholders on recent law changes, defense challenges and court procedures, and provide a variety of legal training's to the Washington State Patrol and all allied agencies across the state. A comprehensive trial notebook and website have been developed to ensure that prosecutors in every corner of the State have 24/7 access to valuable resources and information necessary for successful impaired driving prosecution. Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Program The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Coordinator’s position was created in April of 2010. The program was implemented to be utilized by all law enforcement agencies in the state of Washington. The SFST’s are the foundation for detecting and processing intoxicated drivers. It is imperative that all law enforcement personnel working patrol related duties are familiar with the proper administration and interpretation of the SFST’s. The SFST Program is responsible for the instruction and monitoring of the twenty four hour federally recommended SFST/DUI Basic Course, the SFST Instructor Development Course, and the SFST Refresher Courses. The SFST Program acts as an information clearinghouse for all matters related to SFST and DUI education. Back to TopImpaired Driving DirectorySection Headquarters - SeattleImpaired Driving Section - Washington State Patrol Section Commander Administrative Assistant - Impaired Driving Section and DRE Program Office Assistant - Breath Test Program Administrative Assistant - Ignition Interlock, SFST and Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program DRE State Coordinator DRE Training Coordinator SFST State Coordinator & Mobile Impaired Driving Unit Coordinator Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors Ignition Interlock Program Coordinator Northwest Washington Southwest Washington Eastern Washington Supervisor of Technicians in District 3, 4, 6 & Ignition Interlock Program Supervisor Supervisor of Technicians in District 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 District 1 - Tacoma and TumwaterImpaired Driving Section Impaired Driving Section Email: Forensic Scientist Ruth Cramer District 2 - SeattleImpaired Driving Section Email: Trooper Douglas Jones District 3 - Union Gap and KennewickImpaired Driving Section Impaired Driving Section District 4 - SpokaneImpaired Driving Section District 5 - VancouverImpaired Driving Section District 6 - WenatcheeImpaired Driving Section District 7 - Marysville and BurlingtonImpaired Driving Section Impaired Driving Section
Email: Trooper Cameron Birman District 8 - PoulsboImpaired Driving Section |
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