In attendance were:
Tom Page, LAPD DRE Unit (213)485-8565
Art Haversat, LAPD DRE Unit (213)485-8565
Dick Kellogg, LAPD STD, (213)485-2088
Nina Serna, LAPD DRE Unit (213)485-8565
John Mott, LAPD DRE Unit (213)485-8565
Patrick Conahan, Oceanside PD (619)966-7992
Clarence Metcalfe, LAPD DRE Unit (213)485-8565
Randy Slaughter, Newport Beach PD, (714)644-3759
Kent Hoflen, San Diego PD, (619)635-3209
Jeffrey Campbell, Burbank PD, (818)238-3000
Glen Stanley, LASD, (562)946-7828
Mark Richards, LASD, (562)467-1152
Kelly Evans, Pasadena PD, (818)405-3859
Devin Chase, Torrance PD, (310)328-3456
Rick Colbert Long Beach PD, (310)570-5737
At 10:10 Sergeant Page opened the meeting.
"Problems and Possibilities In Prosecuting Vehicular Fatalities"
Sergeant Page discussed a recent publication, "Problems and Possibilities In
Prosecuting Vehicular Fatalities" that was published by the American Prosecutors
Research Institute's National Traffic Law Center. Prosecutors and collision
investigators should find this publication valuable. There was a copy at the meeting for
review, and an order form for those wanting to obtain a copy. To order a copy by mail,
send $10.00 plus $2.50 for postage to:
American Prosecutors Research Institute
National Traffic Law Center
99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: Registrar
MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and CANDID, Citizens AgaiNst Drug
Impaired Drivers
We discussed the need for seeking out and establishing cooperative agreements with
various community groups. At this time we are working with MADD, Mothers Against
Drunk Driving. We utilize Michele Sapper, a MADD speaker and DUI victim, in our DRE
schools. Sergeant Page discussed some recent correspondence from CANDID,
Citizens AgaiNst Drug Impaired Drivers, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that relayed several
issues and concerns regarding the DRE program. They were anecdotal concerns
voiced by individuals in the field. Sergeant Page responded by mail to their concerns,
pointing out the many successes of the DRE program, particularly in prosecuting drug
impaired drivers.
Massachusetts HGN court case
Sergeant Page spoke about a recent Massachusetts court case regarding the
admissibility of horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN). The court found that the prosecution
had not established a proper foundation for the acceptance of HGN evidence. The
officer did not qualify as having been properly trained in HGN, and therefore the court
did not accept his testimony. Massachusetts is currently hosting a DRE school and is
now the 33rd State to adopt the DRE program.
DRE certification and recertification criteria
Sergeant Page spoke about the need to maintain DRE certification, by being recertified
every two years. He discussed the recertification criteria: eight hours of training, three
evaluations, a fourth evaluation witnessed by a DRE instructor, updated rolling log, and
an updated resume. Sergeant Page reminded us that there is a one year grace period,
but that once that expires, it can be difficult to regain certification.
LAPD DRE web site
There was a brief update on the LAPD DRE web site, and a request for articles written
by DRE instructors. Per Sergeant Page's conversations with IACP and NHTSA, the
LAPD site will most likely serve as the national DRE web site.
Palomar Community College DRE school and DRE instructor school
Pat Conahan reported on the Palomar Community College DRE school and DRE
instructor school. He has completed the classroom portion of the instructor school, and
is conducting the field certification at the May Camp Pendleton DRE school. Fifteen
student instructors graduated from the class. The DRE and DRE instructor college
classes were very well received by both the college staff and students, and they will be
repeated each spring semester. There were 40 students in the DRE school class.
These students will complete 17 weeks of classes, and receive five units of college
credit. Detective Conahan made some adjustments to the curriculum to fit the college
class schedule. He primarily transferred the responsibility for pre-reading the lessons
onto the student, and added homework assignments, as well as several additional
quizzes.
Poisoning and Toxicology Handbook
Tom Page discussed the Poisoning and Toxicology Handbook published by
Lexi-Comp. In the near future, Tom will be meeting with several other authors to
discuss the possibility of preparing a modified version that will be tailored for police,
prosecutors, and EMT and hospital emergency room personnel. Lexi- Comp will have a
booth at the June IACP DRE conference in Buffalo.
DRE on TV
Sergeant Page reported on the anticipated DRE unit's participation in a City of Los
Angeles cable television program, that may highlight the DRE program. It is expected
that if it is well received, it will become a series of shows. Michelle Anderson of the City
Attorney's Office, initiated this project.
Buffalo conference
Tom Page spoke about the IACP DRE conference in June. There is a tentative agenda,
which was distributed at the meeting, and is attached at the end of these minutes.
Prospective DRE program in South Africa
Sergeant Page provided an update on the status of the prospective DRE program in
South Africa. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has issued a
press release stating that South Africa will adopt a DRE program which may be
supported and funded by the United Nations' World Health Organization (WHO).
Burbank DRE school
Jeff Campbell updated us on the status of the "double enrollment" Burbank DRE school
which is scheduled for September 15th. The class size is expected to be about 60
students. There was discussion as to the possibility of expanding the instructor school
which is scheduled for the week prior to the DRE school. Officer Campbell is also
working towards obtaining college credit for the DRE school through Glendale
Community College.
Narcan
Sergeant Page advised us of some recent DUI collisions that involved overdose levels
of narcotic analgesics. The suspects were administered Narcan prior to being seen by
the DRE. We discussed the issues involved in completing a DRE evaluation on a
subject that has been administered Narcan. It was agreed that with interviews and
statements from witnesses at the collision scene, rescue ambulance EMTs, and
emergency room physicians, that it was possible. Narcan will not affect the presence of
opiates in urine or blood.
Three part test to detect stroke victims
Tom Page told of a new simple three part test to detect stroke victims: (1) Have the
subject smile; (2) direct the subject to grasp your hands with each of his or her hands:
(3) have the subject raise both arms. Since a stoke commonly affects one side of the
brain, you should quickly see a difference between the response from each side.
Pending court case in Oregon
There is a pending court case in Oregon that is challenging the validity of the DRE
program. Sergeant Page, who is expected to testify in the case, will monitor the case
and report back with an update at the next steering committee meeting.
DRE agency coordinators workshop
Detective Conahan has begun the planning of a DRE agency coordinators workshop,
tentatively scheduled for a hotel in Oceanside on September 26th through the 28th.
There was some discussion and at this time there appeared to be limited interest. The
workshop was cancelled and no new date was scheduled.
New DRE golf shirts
Nina Serna displayed the new DRE golf shirts with embroidered logos. The shirts will
be available within 30 days, and the LAPD DRE unit expects to take some samples and
order forms to the DRE conference in Buffalo.
Burbank PD DWI collision survey
Jeff Campbell advised us that Burbank PD is starting a program where a DRE is
dispatched to the scene of all major traffic collision incidents. It will be the DRE's duty
to evaluate the drivers for signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug influence.
Long Beach PD DWI collision survey
Sergeant Rick Colbert spoke about a DWI collision study that will be conducted in Long
Beach in conjunction with the Southern California Resource Institute. They have a
cadre of three senior DREs who will respond to all collisions to evaluate the drivers for
drug impairment. They expect to evaluate the drivers from 1,300 collisions during the
next 12 months.
Deputy Administrator of NHTSA to speak to DREs and City
Attorneys
Sergeant Page reported that he has been asked by NHTSA staff to arrange a
presentation by a NHTSA Deputy Administrator in Los Angeles on April 18, 1997. The
purpose of the presentation is to provide some details on soon to be announced
Federal initiatives related to combatting drug-impaired driving, particularly by youths.
Sergeant Page encouraged all to attend this important conference.
Note: This event was in fact held on April 18, 1997 at the Parker Center Auditorium. The DRE Unit's report of the event follows:
"The Department's Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Unit coordinated and hosted an address by Mr. Philip Recht, the Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at the Parker Center Auditorium. Approximately 70 individuals, including the president of the Los Angeles County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, ten Los Angeles Deputy City Attorneys, a representative of the California Highway Patrol, a Burbank PD officer, and a representative of the Southern California Research Institute, attended this noon-time event. The Department was represented by officers from all traffic divisions, narcotics group, SID, and Traffic Coordination Section. Captain Dave Smith of Central Traffic Division was the highest ranking officer in attendance.
This event was initially scheduled at the request of NHTSA. Mr. Recht had planned to provide details on new Presidential initiatives relating to drug-impaired individuals, primarily youths. Unexpectedly, however, the President did not release his program as originally planned. Mr. Recht did say, however, that the upcoming initiative will provide resources to expand the DRE program beyond the current 350 communities. He further said that some funds will be directed to Los Angeles. Mr. Recht specifically recognized the achievements of the Department and the Los Angeles City Attorneys Office in developing the DRE program, and in gaining judicial acceptance of it.
Mr. Recht also spoke about the government's efforts regarding seat belts, air bags, and child safety seats.
Assemblyman Luis Caldera, who represents downtown Los Angeles, introduced Mr. Recht, and stayed for the entire event."
State DRE Coordinator Listing in Error
NHTSA and the IACP recently provided DRE agency coordinators with an updated
listing of State DRE coordinators. The California Highway Patrol was listed as the
California State coordinator. This was in error. California is unique in that it has two
recognized DRE State coordinators: the CHP and the LAPD DRE Unit. NHTSA and the
IACP have promised to rectify this oversight in the next printing of State DRE
coordinators list.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30. No date was set for the next steering committee meeting.
You can read the minutes from the prior meeting, held on 1-14-97.
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