Because of the highly technical nature of the functions performed by the drug recognition expert, only persons experienced in the techniques of drug evaluation should instruct in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. In general, these instructors will be certified drug recognition experts with experience in performing drug evaluations and in providing testimony in court in the area of drug recognition. However, persons who possess specialized skills or credentials may be utilized to teach certain parts of the training course as associate instructors. Dedicated, qualified instructors are critical to the continued success of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program.

Certified instructors are responsible for observing, evaluating and verifying the performance of candidate DREs throughout the training and certification process. In addition, certified instructors must provide periodic update training to DREs already certified.

Also addressed in this section are standards for the use of instructor/trainers in the program. These individuals are responsible for the training of DRE instructors.

2.1 Only persons certified as drug recognition experts may be certified as DRE instructors.

Commentary: Persons not certified as DREs but who possess knowledge, expertise or credentials deemed valuable to the program may be designated as associate instructors for the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Persons who might be considered for such designation may include medical professionals, attorneys and others who possess know-ledge in a designated field of expertise. Associate instructors must be familiar with the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program and fully conversant with the lesson plans for their assigned blocks of instruction. Classes taught by associate instructors shall be taught in cooperation with certified DRE instructors to ensure consistency.

Each associate instructor shall provide to the IACP staff a biographical sketch to be included in the national file of approved instructional staff. The biographical sketch shall include those segments of the training curricula that the associate instructor is qualified to teach.

2.2 Drug recognition experts desiring to become instructors in the Drug Evaluation an Classification Program shall make written application through and be recommended by their agencies as meeting all requirements to become instructors. Commentary: The agency head shall verify to the training provider that a candidate instructor meets all prerequisites to enter DRE instructor training. Prerequisites may also include any state, local or agency requirements specified for instructors within the jurisdiction.

The IACP staff shall provide to requesting agencies the administrative guide and sample appli-cation forms for candidate instructors.

2.3 The candidate shall satisfactorily complete the IACP-approved Drug Evaluation and Classification Instructor Training Program, or an approved equivalent, which shall include both knowledge and practical examination of candidate instructors.

Commentary: This requirement does not preclude states or local jurisdictions from placing additional requirements on persons wishing to teach in the local law enforcement community.

2.4 Upon satisfactory completion of the IACP approved classroom portion of training or completion of an equivalent program, the student shall be designated an assistant instructor for purposes of completing instructor certification. To complete instructor certification, the assistant instructor must

• Teach for a minimum of two hours in the classroom portion of an approved Drug Recognition training program; and
• Supervise the administration of not less than two drug evaluations performed by candidate DREs during certification training.

The assistant instructor's progress shall be monitored and evaluated by at least one certified DRE instructor.

Commentary: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed, and the IACP has adopted, a training curriculum for instructors in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. The learning objectives for this program emphasize specific techniques for teaching the specialized information contained in the drug recognition training program. Because agencies may differ in their specific requirements for instructors, particularly those involved in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, agencies wishing to use a training curriculum other than that utilized by the IACP may do so, provided that, upon completion of the training, the student instructor meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in these standards.

The Drug Evaluation and Classification Technical Advisory Panel shall be responsible for reviewing and evaluating alternative training programs submitted by agencies. Those programs meeting or exceeding the approved learning objectives for instructor training shall be deemed "equivalent."

2.5 Upon satisfactory completion of instructor training, copies of all documentation, including instructor progress logs, examination scores and instructor evaluations, shall be forwarded to the agency DRE coordinator. The agency DRE coordinator shall forward the names of certified DRE instructors and copies of instructor progress logs to the appropriate state and/or national organizations for inclusion in their registers as certified DRE instructors.

Commentary: The IACP/Drug Recognition Section staff will maintain current registers of persons certified as instructors in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Upon notification that a person has met all requirements, the staff shall complete and forward to the individual a certificate indicating that he/she meets all requirements as a drug recognition expert instructor.

The administrative guidelines shall provide sample forms for necessary progress logs and certification documents.

2.6 All training sessions conducted as part of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program shall be coordinated by a certified DRE instructor who has previously instructed, to ensure the proper conduct and delivery of the approved curriculum. All classes taught by associate or assistant instructors shall be supervised directly by a certified DRE instructor.

Commentary: To ensure that all training classes are conducted in accordance with applicable standards, it is recommended that the instructor coordinating the training program have a minimum of one-year experience as a drug recognition expert instructor.

2.7 An instructor trainer shall have demonstrated proficiency as an instructor.

2.8 An instructor trainer must be knowledgeable of and have audited all phases of the Drug Evaluation and Classification training program and must be fully conversant with the student and instructor manuals.

Commentary: An instructor trainer must demonstrate present evidence of the satisfactory completion of the NHTSA Instructor's Development Course or equivalent. Instructor trainers must be familiar with the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program and fully conversant with the lesson plans for their assigned blocks of instruction. Classes taught by instructor trainers shall be taught in cooperation with certified DRE instructors to ensure consistency.

Each instructor trainer shall provide, through the agency DRE coordinator to IACP staff, a biographical sketch to be included in the national file of approved instructional staff. The biographical sketch shall include those segments of the training curricula that the instructor trainer is qualified to teach.

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This page was updated 2-20-98
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