IACP DRE Standards, (LAPD Standards)

LAPD DRE Masthead Logo

National Standards
of the Drug Evaluation and
Classification Program

A Product of
The IACP Advisory Committee on Highway Safety
of the International Association of Chiefs of Police

with grant assistance from
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Revised December 3, 1997

STANDARDS FOR DECERTIFICATION OF DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS AND INSTRUCTORS

The standards in this section outline the circumstances and procedures for decertifying individual DREs or DRE instructors. In order to ensure that standards of performance are maintained, a means of removing persons unable to meet those criteria of competence and professionalism from the roles of the program is needed. The final authority and responsibility for maintaining program standards lies with the agency and the agency DRE coordinator. It shall be incumbent upon the agency DRE coordinator to ensure that certified DREs meet approved standards for conduct and qualifications.

4.1 Decertification shall occur when a DRE or DRE instructor fails to meet minimum standards and requirements for certification, or demonstrates substantial unethical or unprofessional behavior that reflects adversely on the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program.

Commentary: All DREs are responsible for maintaining and forwarding to the agency DRE coordinator information regarding required training or experience. If such information is not provided in a timely manner, certification will lapse.

Local agencies and licensing/certification bodies may, at their discretion, establish certification and decertification criteria to conform with local laws or rules. Nothing in these standards should be construed to overrule local authority in establishing standards for the performance of officers in this area.

4.2 Requests for voluntary decertification will be honored when submitted by a DRE or DRE instructor to the section staff and with approval of the agency DRE coordinator.

4.3 Cases involving poor performance or inconsistent findings shall be referred to the agency DRE coordinator for investigation, recommendation and action.

4.4 Certification of a DRE shall not terminate as long as the DRE meets the requirements of Standards 1.1 and 4.1.

4.5 The agency, upon the recommendation of the agency DRE coordinator and with concurrence of the state DRE coordinator, shall initiate the decertification process against a DRE or DRE instructor. The agency coordinator shall inform the IACP/section staff of all decertification actions. The staff shall have the right to investigate any and all recommendations for decertification as it deems necessary or as directed by the section.