The NY State STOP-DWI Foundation, Inc., through funding from the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is pleased to sponsor regional trainings to benefit local STOP-DWI efforts in New York State. These seminars are free of charge and designed help our partners prevent impaired driving.
We are working on the upcoming training schedule
Law Enforcement Training and Recertification
Specific drug recognition training for Law Enforcement
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaigns aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives STOP-DWI Coordinators and their partners will be engaging the public with education materials of the dangers of Impaired Driving while Law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads. The New York State Police, County Sheriff and Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies across New York State will be out in force.
New York State STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaigns 2024-25
Halloween 2024 10/30 – 11/1
Thanksgiving 2024 11/27 – 12/1
Holiday 2024-2025 12/11 – 1/1
Super Bowl 2025 2/8 – 2/10
St Pat’s 2025 3/13 – 3/18
420 Drug Day 4/18 – 4/21
Memorial Day 2025 5/23 – 5/27
June 100 Days of Summer 6/5 – 6/8; 6/12 – 6/15; 6/19 – 6/22; 6/26 – 6/29
July 4 2025 7/3 – 7/6
July 100 Days of Summer 7/10 – 7/13; 7/17 – 7/20; 7/24 – 7/27
August 100 Days of Summer 7/31 – 8/3; 8/7 – 8/10
End of Summer 2025 8/13 – 9/1
The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is charged with the administration and oversight of the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program under the auspices of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. A recurring concern we have heard from the law enforcement community is the difficulty in locating a DRE especially if the agency does not have a DRE on staff. To address this issue, we have compiled and are making available a statewide listing of all certified Drug Recognition Experts and their employing agency contact information. We hope that this newly published listing of Drug Recognition Experts will provide a concise reference to quickly contact a local DRE to provide assistance in any drug impaired, driving related incident.
This DRE Web page provides the link to the announcement and application and also lists all of the upcoming trainings including DRE school and ARIDE – Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement training Training and Events | Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (ny.gov)
You may apply here for financial assistance to attend training. Application for DRE School Funding (jotform.com)
Visit DRE Program Resources | Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (ny.gov) to see the current list of current certified DRE’s in New York.
“Inhalants Category Breakdown “, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“Cannabis Category Breakdown”, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“HGN is Impairment”, presented by Dr. Karl Citek
The following topics will be discussed in detail:
I. Purpose of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)
II. Sequelae of intoxication
III. HGN Health Questions
IV. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test
V. Vertical Gaze Nystagmus (VGN) Test
Karl Citek Dr. Citek is a Professor of Optometry and Distinguished University Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. He has taught courses in Ophthalmic Optics, Physiological Optics, Low Vision, Visual Perception, and Environmental Vision, and has seen patients and supervised student interns in the Primary Care and Low Vision Clinics at Pacific Eye Clinic Forest Grove.
Dr. Citek received his degrees of Doctor of Optometry and Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science from the State University of New York College of Optometry in 1993 and 1995, respectively. He is a Diplomate in the Public Health & Environmental Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association, the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, the Optical Society of America, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. In 2006, Dr. Citek was named a DRE Ambassador by the DRE Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Since 2012, he has served on the Technical Advisory Panel of the IACP.
Along with colleagues from Pacific University and the Oregon State Police, Dr. Citek has co-authored peer-reviewed papers reviewing the DRE program; confirming that DRE officers can use limited information to form correct opinions regarding drug intoxication; establishing that HGN can be assessed on standing, seated, and supine
suspects; and demonstrating that sleep deprivation does not cause impairment clues that would be mistaken for intoxication.
Dr. Citek has been involved in teaching eye signs at the DRE Schools in many states, and observing alcohol workshops, certification sessions, and several ride-alongs around the country. He has participated in over 350 presentations to police officers, prosecutors, and judges on HGN and eye movements at regional, national, and international meetings, including several of the IACP Annual DRE Conferences. In addition, he has testified as an expert witness for the prosecution on the admissibility of HGN and DRE evidence at over 50 hearings and trials around the U.S.
“Therapeutic v. Impaired”, presented by Zeb Graham
Modern instrumentation and analytical techniques have enabled state and forensic laboratories to provide quantified amounts of drugs and (drug) metabolites present in blood and (in some cases) urine samples to investigators. Amounts of drugs and other metabolites are often reported as ng/mL.
The primary purpose of this presentation is to provide the audience with the most current information concerning measured drug levels and impairment that is available through peer-reviewed scientific studies (including but not limited to case reports, randomized trials, and systematic reviews).
Quite often in an impaired driving criminal case, an investigating officer or prosecutor is provided with toxicology results that include quantified levels of one or more drugs. Numbers (drug level(s)) without explanation or context, however, provide very little information about the impairment observed. This presentation focuses on the ever-present question, “does a certain amount or quantity of a drug equal impairment?”
A case study from a closed, recent suspected vehicle-pedestrian crash the presenter investigated will be included in this presentation. This component of the presentation will highlight how reported drug levels (of the driver and pedestrian) were useful in investigating the suspected crash.
The final component of this presentation will include a short section on the investigative utility of state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP’s). These programs are typically administered through state board of pharmacies and provide useful insight into an individual’s-controlled substance prescription history. This information is typically accessible without legal process to law enforcement conducting an investigation.
Zeb Graham Lieutenant Zebulon (Zeb) Graham has been with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in Idaho Falls, ID since 2006. Lt. Graham is currently assigned to the BCSO investigation division and supervises several teams of deputies. Lt. Graham’s previous assignments at BCSO include patrol sergeant, detective, school resource officer, FTO, and patrol deputy. Lt. Graham, with the help of other BCSO members and LE partners, pioneered the current involuntary blood draw protocol and electronic search warrant process currently utilized in Bonneville County for impaired driving and crash investigations.
Lt. Graham became a DRE in 2011 and a DRE instructor in 2014. Lt. Graham possesses a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in physics and an additional Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in biochemistry. Lt. Graham also holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) from Idaho State University (ISU) and is a licensed pharmacist in the state of Idaho and the state of Wyoming. In addition to his law enforcement duties, Lt. Graham practices as an institutional and community pharmacist in southeast Idaho.
“Cannabis Studies: What Traffic Safety Professionals Need to Know”, presented by Joshua Saucier and Scot Mattox
Description: This presentation is designed to introduce students to the realm of cannabis studies. It serves two important purposes: first, it presents recent and foundational cannabis studies to the students and increases student awareness of such studies; second, it offers insights from TSRPs Mattox and Saucier into how those studies can relate to impaired driving detection and enforcement.
While this presentation is continually being updated and enhanced, it is traditionally presented in the following sections: I – Introduction; II –Cannabis Impairs: Driving Simulators and Cannabis; III – 302 and 2-Year Studies: Officer Detection of Cannabis Impairment; III – Issues to Which You Should Be Aware: Cannabis Studies Questioning SFSTs Efficacy; IV – Things to Come: The Future of Cannabis Impairment Detection and Enforcement.
In the introduction, TSRP Mattox discusses the need to learn about cannabis impairment and recent studies indicating the effect of recreational stores on vehicular fatalities.
In first section, TSRP Saucier discusses recent cannabis studies (2022 and 2023) that show that (surprise!) cannabis can impair driving abilities. TSRP Saucier draws on some of the conclusions of those studies to assist officers in their investigations.
In the second subsection, TSRP Mattox discusses the 302 and 2-year studies. He offers insights into each and suggests a protocol to enhance the detection and enforcement of cannabis impaired driving.
In the third section, TSRP Saucier discusses recent studies that question the efficacy of field sobriety tests in detecting/proving cannabis impairment. In addition to discussing the studies’ findings, TSRP Saucier will discuss the potential weaknesses of the studies.
In the fourth section, which is often only three-five minutes in length, TSRPs Saucier and Mattox introduce students to some of the technologies being developed and studied as it relates to detection and enforcement of cannabis impaired driving.
SCOT MATTOX: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Juris Doctor Degree. Full Biography on Registration form
Joshua Saucier: Bachelors of Arts in History, University of New England, 2011, Summa Cum Laud Juris Doctor, University of Maine School of Law, 2014, Magna Cum Laude Full Biography on Registration form.
“Cannabis Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics & Effects on Driving Performance and Oral Fluid for Roadside Testing“, presented by Professor Dr. Marilyn A. Huestis
Cannabis and driving
Oral fluid testing at the roadside
Professor Dr. (h.c.) Marilyn A. Huestis retired as a tenured senior investigator and Chief, Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health in 2016 after 23 years of conducting controlled drug administration studies. She was an Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine for 17 years and currently is a Senior Science and Policy Advisor for Pinney Associates, Professor at the Institute on Emerging Health Professions, Thomas Jefferson University, Adjunct Professor, University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, Honorary Professor, Queen Mary University of London, England and President of Huestis & Smith Toxicology. Her research program focuses on the neurobiology and pharmacokinetics of cannabinoid agonists, kratom/mitragynine, psilocybin, effects of in utero drug exposure, driving under the influence of drugs, and identification and quantification of drugs by mass spectrometry.
“Update on Illicit Fentanyl Use and its Effect on Driving”, presented by Barry K. Logan, PhD, F-ABFT
Opioids have been increasing in terms of their prevalence in impaired driving cases especially over the last six years since fentanyl began to exceed heroin in the illicit drug supply. This presentation will review the pharmacological and physiological effects of opioids, including the effects of opioids on driving, the impairment profile for narcotic analgesics based on DRE indicators and SFST performance, and how to read the toxicology results. Illicit use and abuse of fentanyl grew as the opioid crisis evolved from prescription opioids like hydrocodone and oxycodone, to heroin, fentanyl and then fentanyl analogs like carfentanil which is still around today. There have also been several novel synthetic opioids with unfamiliar names like brorphine, and isotonitazene that are contributing to opioid impairment. The picture gets further complicated by the interactions of fentanyl with xylazine used a cutting agent. Xylazine is a CNS-depressant approved for use in veterinary medicine as a tranquilizer. When used in combination with fentanyl, it can increase the severity and chance of sedation, muscle relaxation, bradycardia, and respiratory depression. Over the years, blood fentanyl concentrations have been documented to be increasing highlighting the importance of understanding how drug tolerance affects drug users but doesn’t eliminate impairment even in tolerant subjects. Staying current with trends in novel opioid use helps prepare DRE’s and Toxicologists for court and testimony.
Barry K Logan PhD, F-ABFT: Dr. Barry Logan is Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President for Forensic Sciences at NMS Labs, an international reference lab providing forensic toxicology and chemistry services to public and private crime labs, coroners and medical examiners and death investigators throughout the world. He also serves as Executive Director at the non-profit Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) at the Fredric Rieder’s Family Foundation in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Logan holds academic appointments at Arcadia, Thomas Jefferson and Indiana Universities in the United States, and is a Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT). Over his career, he has authored or co-authored over 200 publications, and has made over 700 presentations in topics in forensic toxicology and analytical chemistry, including work on postmortem and human performance toxicology. In 2023, he was recognized as the most highly cited author in the field of forensic toxicology in the United States. His current research priorities are focused on new drug trends, the opioid crisis, rapid reporting of drug mortality data, and the analytical and interpretive toxicology and chemistry of novel psychoactive substances, founding www.NPSDiscovery.org in 2018.
“Dissociative Anesthetics Category Breakdown “, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“Narcotic Analgesics Category Breakdown”, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“Behind the Labcoat”, presented by Ayako Chan-Hosokawa
Toxicologists, DREs/arresting officers, and prosecutors form a collaborative “three-legged stool” in the DUID investigations. Toxicology results validate the observations of the DREs and arresting officers. However, law enforcement and toxicologists frequently speak different languages, hindering effective collaboration.
This presentation will provide insight into forensic toxicology, the role of toxicologists in DUID investigations, laboratory testing procedures, and limitations. It will cover best practices for sample submission, scope, and cut-off concentration. Additionally, the presentation will discuss the basics of toxicology, the pros and cons of blood, urine, and oral fluid testing, and the best types of tubes for preserving samples.
Attendees will also learn to read and interpret toxicology reports, communicate effectively with toxicologists, and integrate law enforcement and toxicologist testimony to provide a comprehensive view of the defendant’s impairment.
AYAKO CHAN-HOSOKAWA
Ayako (Aya) Chan-Hosokawa is a forensic toxicologist and toxicology team manager with NMS Labs in Horsham, PA. Ms. Chan-Hosokawa’s responsibilities include case review, expert testimony and expert opinion reports, client communication and education for toxicological matters, litigation document review, and analytical specification preparation for new and redeveloped tests.
“Courtroom Success – Understanding the Psychology of a Trial”, presented by John Kwasnoski
For most officers who work on crash cases they are usually under-trained, if they have formal training at all, in the skills needed to provide powerful, persuasive testimony at trial. COURTROOM SUCCESS discusses the psychology of a trial, and goes beyond the “how to dress” and “where to look” rules. The presentation explains why jurors believe a witness, how to develop rapport with jurors, and why credibility is his/her most valuable shield against cross examination attacks. This class is intended for prosecutors, reconstructionist, crash investigators, DREs, detectives, and forensics people.
John Kwasnoski is Professor Emeritus of Forensic Physics at Western New England University, Springfield, MA after thirty-one years on the faculty. He is a certified police trainer in more than twenty states, and has instructed prosecutors, police, and civil attorneys on more than 400 occasions in every one of the fifty states. He is the crash reconstructionist on the “Lethal Weapon – DWI Homicide” team formed by the National Traffic Law Center to teach prosecutors how to utilize expert witness testimony and cross examine adverse expert witnesses. Prof. Kwasnoski has reconstructed more than 1,300 crashes, including multiple and single vehicle, pedestrian, motorcycle, and train crashes, and has given sworn testimony on more than 200 occasions; he has trained with the NYPD collision reconstruction unit since 2001, and continues to serve as a consultant to prosecutors nationwide on MV homicide cases. He has served as an expert in several cases of national significance including S. Carolina v. Susan Smith (a mother’s drowning murder of her two children) in which he participated in the re-enactment of the drowning in a submerged automobile and the creation of a video used in the sentencing phase of the trial. Prof. Kwasnoski has authored The Handbook of Collision Reconstruction, Kwasnoski’s Little Red Book, Anticipating Defenses in a MV Crash Case From Crash to Courtroom , Crash Investigation Primer , , Preparing Your MV Crash Case for Trial , Low BAC Driver Impairment , Large Truck Collision Reconstruction for Prosecutors , and Crash Reconstruction Basics for Prosecutors . Prof. Kwasnoski has published more than 60 journal and newsletter articles on collision reconstruction, has a national speaking schedule, and maintains a 24/7 Online On-demand Digital Library of documents and his Lethal Weapon presentation videos. He is the creator of CRASH! The Science of Collisions, a resource for high school and middle school science, physics, biology, health studies, and math teachers that utilizes police traffic crash reports as a starting point for student activities and laboratory investigations that captivate students and motive science and math learning.
“CNS Stimulants Category Breakdown “, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within
the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“Hallucinogen Category Breakdown “, presented by Ashley Eller
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts, as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
“CNS Depressant Category Breakdown “, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course is designed for the patrol or DWI officer, though may be beneficial for Drug Recognition Experts as well. In this course students will be exposed in depth to the drug category used in the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program. Students will be given an overview of the drug category along with current drugs within the category and how they act on the body. This course will also explore how people under the influence of drugs from the category may behave during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Physiology In Impaired Drivers “, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course will look at the major body processes and their involvement in impairment. Students will learn about ingestion, absorption, metabolism, and elimination of drugs from the body as well as homeostasis and why it is so important. This course will provide an overview how drugs work in the body, why hormones are important, and what may on toxicology reports.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Over the Hill or Over Medicated “, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course will discuss how elderly drivers can suffer accidental impairments and overdoses by mixing medications. It will discuss a brief overview of the decline of the body and will go over the stunted ability of the body to ingest, absorb, metabolize, and eliminate drugs. This course will also take a closer look at when a medical intervention would be helpful to ensure the safety of the driver. This course will explain the process for having a driver re-examined to ensure the safety of our roadways.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Retest or Retire (Driver Degeneration)”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course will focus on elderly drivers. The degeneration of the body as people age and how that can affect the ability to drive safely will be discussed. This course specifically breaks down the normal faculty’s drivers need to operate a vehicle safely. Students will be introduced to many disorders, degenerative diseases, natural age progression issues, and an overview of common medications to listen for while conducting investigations. This course will also discuss how the degenerative diseases could affect the subject’s performance during standardized field sobriety exercises.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program.
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Pushing Back on SFST Courtroom Challenges”, presented by Jennifer Knudsen and Sgt. Alan Ma
The defense continues their assault and challenges on the Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). In this workshop, the presenters will describe many of the current challenges being faced by law enforcement, prosecutors, other traffic safety professionals, and courts throughout the country. Attendees will benefit from understanding the types of challenges and how to better prepare for them.
Jennifer Knudsen Jennifer Knudsen is Colorado’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) for the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Denver. She then went to the University of Colorado School of Law where she earned a juris doctorate and certificate in taxation.
As TSRP, she produces training for prosecutors, law enforcement, and other prosecutorial partners on traffic safety matters. She is also a member of the Colorado DRE Advisory Committee.
Ms. Knudsen is a co-author of Strategies for Prosecuting DWI Cases, which was published during the summer of 2016 by Aspatore (a division of Thomson Reuters). She received the 2018 Kevin E. Quinlan Award for Excellence in Traffic Safety, the 2021 Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Colorado Department of Transportation Prosecutor of the Year Award, and the 2022 Dr. Robert E. Weltzer Outstanding Dedication to Traffic Safety Award.
Sergeant Alan Ma Sergeant Alan Ma is a police officer with the Denver Police Department Special Operations Division, Traffic Operations Bureau, DUI/DRE Unit. Sergeant Ma is a course manager and train the trainer for Colorado’s Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program, a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Train the Trainer and Instructor, an Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing Intoxilyzer I-9000 Instructor, and a certified level two technical accident reconstructionist. Sergeant Ma has been qualified as an expert witness in the First, Second and Seventeenth Judicial District Courts in Drug Recognition, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Investigations, and Chinese Language. In addition to his daily duties, Sergeant Ma also serves as a member of the Colorado Drug Recognition Expert Advisory Committee.
Sergeant Ma is a member of the Denver Police Department Honor Guard Team and was the police honor guard commander of the Lakewood Police Department Honor Guard Team. Sergeant Ma is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has assisted various police agencies in the Denver metro area in investigations involving Mandarin Chinese speaking suspects, victims, and witnesses. Sergeant Ma holds a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“Over the Counter, Under Arrest”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course will delve into over-the-counter substances or readily available to purchase “herbal supplements” that are sweeping the country and causing concern in the driving population. Officers will be introduced to ever-changing Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs). This course will provide knowledge to officers about impairments that satisfy the Field Sobriety Exercise requirements for arrest, but do not conform to the standard rules of impairment per statutes. Instructors will discuss impairments caused by these substances and how to go about articulating impairment caused by these substances. NOTE: This course is primarily intended for officers that conduct DWI investigations, though may be of value for any officer that deals with drugs or impairment.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Newest Plant Buzz: Kratom and Kava”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
With over the counter and plant-based impairments on the rise, this course provides officers with a look at two of the newest plants that cause impairment, Kratom and Kava. The audience will learn the history of the plants, how they were originally used, and why at least one has been banned in its country of origin.
This course will provide a working knowledge of Kratom and Kava impairments and how it affects driving and will help the audience identify products containing them.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“The Role of Prescription Drugs in Multi-Substance Impairment”, presented by Matthew Myers, MS MPA
Participants will first be presented with foundational information on types of prescription use patterns that may precede an impaired driving incident and a review of epidemiological data on the scope and nature of the problem. An overview of potentially impairing drug classes will be provided along with a review of general effects on driving. An in-depth discussion of drug-drug interactions will then be provided to help the learner recognize different ways that medications may alter each other’s expected effects. The role of tolerance in drug responses will be discussed along with challenges in applying experimental and epidemiological data to real-world outcomes involving multi-substance impairment. A brief overview of potential interactions with over-the-counter and nutraceutical products will be provided (time allowing). Tips for roadside investigation and a review of actual case studies will provide a final integration of the lesson material.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Winning the Encounter”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
In this class, the audience will discuss common distraction techniques. This class shows how the same techniques used by magicians are also being used by suspects daily. Students will learn how to break down the techniques so they understand how a suspect could easily distract them to ditch, palm, steal, or otherwise misdirect the officer while evidence disappears. Officers will leave this course with a higher level of officer safety and suspect behavior knowledge.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Trolling for Evidence: Leveraging Social Media”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course teaches officers how to utilize open-source information to help document the behavior of an arrestee in impaired driving cases. Officers will learn how to utilize information found on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, and Tik Tok to name a few. It features a section on how to properly build a fictitious profile on the platforms mentioned above to allow officers the ability to search on the platform without using their personal information. This course also covers how to build community relations using social media. The content of this course is structured for officers of all calibers who are looking to improve their investigations and bolster their case when testifying.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“The Delta Variant”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
Delta-9 has been the go-to plant impairment for the last 100 years in American Society. With the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill more Delta “variants” were discovered and are being used to cause impairment with little ability to identify them in blood/urine testing. The audience will be introduced to Delta 8 and Delta 10 as well as the minor-cannabinoids (THC) and supportive cannabinoids (CBD). While discussing the newest additions to the Delta Variant the audience will be shown examples of impairment by these products. Signs and symptoms of cannabis impairment, as well as driving indicators will be discussed.
Ashley Eller Ms. Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Communication to Prevent DWI in NYS”, presented by Katie Dively, M.S., MCHES
Improving public health and reducing driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol (DWI), requires growing healthier and safer behaviors. Communication can be a powerful tool to facilitate behavior change. However, research has shown that using communication to change DWI behaviors is complex, and many communication efforts are ineffective. Utilizing a simple process can increase effectiveness and create sustainable change.
This session will provide an overview of The Positive Culture Framework’s 7-Step Process for effective communication. Developed by the Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC) at Montana State University, this process can be used to develop communications at any scale, whether it be for a conversation or a mass media campaign to prevent DWI.
Participants will leave with an understanding of the importance of communication in behavior change efforts, models for changing behaviors, and an overview of the 7-step process for effective communication. The session will demonstrate that the 7-Step Process is a feasible approach for guiding and improving communication efforts, particularly for complex issues such as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Katie Dively is a Senior Research Scientist and Senior Trainer at the Center for Health and Safety Culture. Katie holds a M.S. in Health Promotion from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). In her role, Katie provides guidance to communities and organizations using the Positive Culture Framework and serves as the Center’s primary trainer. Katie also provides resources, technical assistance, and training relating to evidence-based prevention practices including program planning, capacity building, assessment, implementation, and evaluation.
Katie has experience training and providing guidance to over 200 communities and organizations. With a passion for studying health behavior, Katie has led prevention efforts in a variety of topic areas including substance use, traffic safety, child maltreatment, and problem gambling.
“The Unconventional DWI”, presented by Hon. Todd J. Casella, Yates County District Attorney
Todd Casella – In March of 2013 I began my professional career as an Assistant District Attorney for Steuben County, NY.
Then in November of 2017 I was elected Yates County District Attorney and took Office on January of 2018. At the time I was 33 years old and was the youngest elected District Attorney in the State. That same year I was selected as one of six counties in the State to pilot the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) for the New York Prosecutor’s Training Institute (NYPTI). Beginning in 2019 I taught several classes to the for NYPTI and the District Attorney’s Association of New York (DAASNY) on the implementation of DEMS in anticipation of complying with discovery reform. I continue to train District Attorney’s Offices across the State on discovery compliance and for the past three years I have taught Assistant District Attorney’s at NYPTI’s summer college at Syracuse University. For a 2018 conviction and my commitment to teaching other prosecutors, I was nominated and awarded, “Prosecutor of the Year” by the New York Prosecutor’s Training Institute at the District Attorney’s Association of New York’s Summer Conference.
“Improving your DWI Case”, presented by David D. Kopenhaver
Testifying on Direct and Cross Examination for DWI Cases– This block of instruction covers common mistakes made at trial and common defense tactics. This will increase officer’s confidence in court and lead to more productive arrests.
Roadside Interviewing and Reestablishing Rapport Post Arrest– Far too often we settle for the “just two beers” response. This instruction will teach officers interviewing questions that can lead to a stronger case. Once an arrest is made, how do we obtain a voluntary toxicology sample? We will discuss ways to reestablish rapport to get that voluntary sample.
What is you why? – Traffic fatalities have done up since 2019. This presentation will cover reason in the increase in traffic deaths and suggestions to change current trends.
Dave Kopenhaver, native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania has served communities for the past thirty-one years retiring in May of 2022. He began his law enforcement career in 1991 serving six years in the United States Marine Corps as a military police officer. After being honorably discharged, he started his civilian law enforcement career in South Carolina.
Over the past twenty-five years he has held several leadership positions such as the coordinator of the 14th Circuit Law Enforcement Network and South Carolina Impaired Driving Coordinator (DRE Coordinator). Dave has served as an instructor at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in the Traffic Safety Unit having trained 200 DRE’s and over 3,000 officers in field sobriety and DUI enforcement. In addition to South Carolina, he has presented across the country at industry conferences and law enforcement training courses.
With his education and expertise in standardize field sobriety testing Dave has been qualified as an expert witness in municipal magistrate, state courts and has been disposed as an expert witness in federal courts.
Dave has volunteered on his off hours as an impaired driving education expert speaker and has participated in a number of community impact panels. He has been fortunate enough to be recognized by several organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, SC Office of Highway Safety, American Legion, SC National Safety Council, and the National Criminal Enforcement Association.
“Trolling for Evidence: Leveraging Social Media”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course teaches officers how to utilize open-source information to help document the behavior of an arrestee in impaired driving cases. Officers will learn how to utilize information found on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, and Tik Tok to name a few. It features a section on how to properly build a fictitious profile on the platforms mentioned above to allow officers the ability to search on the platform without using their personal information. This course also covers how to build community relations using social media. The content of this course is structured for officers of all calibers who are looking to improve their investigations and bolster their case when testifying.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“DWI and Modern Drug Trends”, presented by Dr. Aaron Weiner
Trends in addictive substance use are rapidly evolving, with new substances, industries, and use patterns constantly emerging. Join Dr. Aaron Weiner, President of the Society of Addiction Psychology, for an overview of all the most relevant trends professionals need to know, as well as what research tells us about how these substances affect driving ability and impairment. Topics covered include opioids, cannabinoids, alcohol, psychedelics, micro dosing, and kratom.
Aaron Weiner, PhD, ABPP is a board-certified Psychologist and addiction specialist, and speaks nationally on the topics of addiction, behavioral health, and the impact of drug policy on public health. He earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed his fellowship in Addiction Psychology at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. His perspective is informed by years of experience growing and directing addiction service lines for hospitals and healthcare systems, the current state of medical and psychological research, and his own observations in private practice. Dr. Weiner is the President of the Society of Addiction Psychology, a member of the Physician Speakers Bureau for the National Safety Council, and on the Science Advisory Board for Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
“Impaired Driving Training”, presented by Robyn Robertson.
The 4-hour impaired driving training to be delivered by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation includes the following topics: Comparing the profile and characteristics of male versus female impaired drivers and examining self-reported impaired driving in the US in the past five years. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this risky behavior will also be described; Summarizing the latest international research on cannabis impaired driving, crash risk and the prevalence of cannabis alone, and the combination of other substances in fatal crashes; Describing the latest research on the effectiveness of alcohol ignition interlocks in reducing impaired driving recidivism, crashes, and best practice interlock program features; and Reviewing research findings regarding the effectiveness of road safety campaigns including exploring their theoretical foundations, key features of effective campaigns, appropriate messaging for distinct audiences, and best practice dissemination strategies.
Robyn Robertson has led a wide variety of research projects across a broad range of topics. During her career, she has published more than 200 major reports and articles on diverse road safety issues in traffic safety, criminal justice and professional journals. With a focus on education, policy and program development and evaluation, she has made more than 250 presentations at criminal justice, traffic safety, injury prevention and research conferences.
She is coordinator of the Working Group on DWI System Improvements, a U.S. coalition of criminal justice professionals, representing 14 criminal justice organizations, and served as faculty at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.
Robyn received her Master’s Degree in Criminology and undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa. Her professional training includes management, business administration, marketing and executive development courses. Robyn has nine years of experience in the academic field, teaching several criminology and criminal justice courses part-time as her schedule permitted at the University of Ottawa, and Algonquin College in Ottawa.
“The Delta Variant”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
Delta-9 has been the go-to plant impairment for the last 100 years in American Society. With the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill more Delta “variants” were discovered and are being used to cause impairment with little ability to identify them in blood/urine testing. The audience will be introduced to Delta 8 and Delta 10 as well as the minor-cannabinoids (THC) and supportive cannabinoids (CBD). While discussing the newest additions to the Delta Variant the audience will be shown examples of impairment by these products. Signs and symptoms of cannabis impairment, as well as driving indicators will be discussed.
Ashley Eller Ms. Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
“Over the Counter, Under Arrest”, presented by Ashley Eller and Sgt. Frank Imparato
This course will delve into over-the-counter substances or readily available to purchase “herbal supplements” that are sweeping the country and causing concern in the driving population. Officers will be introduced to ever-changing Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs). This course will provide knowledge to officers about impairments that satisfy the Field Sobriety Exercise requirements for arrest, but do not conform to the standard rules of impairment per statutes. Instructors will discuss impairments caused by these substances and how to go about articulating impairment caused by these substances. NOTE: This course is primarily intended for officers that conduct DWI investigations, though may be of value for any officer that deals with drugs or impairment.
Ashley Eller began her law enforcement career in 2004 with the Orlando Police Department as a dispatcher. In 2006 she became a Community Service Officer for the Orlando Police Department. In 2010 Ms. Eller accepted a position as a certified Law Enforcement Officer with the Apopka Police Department. Ms. Eller has taught SFST-DWI Detection, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (MIDDLE), Advanced Marijuana Impaired Driving Detection for Law Enforcement (AMIDDLE), and the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) training (DRE school). Ms. Eller was a certified Intoxilyzer 8000 operator and Agency Inspector for the Intoxilyzer 8000. Ms. Eller has taught for the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), Valencia Community College Criminal Justice Institute, Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and Tallahassee Community College via the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) program
Sergeant Frank Imparato began his law enforcement career in 1999 as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the City of Coral Springs Police Department. In August of 2003, Sergeant Imparato was hired by the Coral Springs Police Department as a Telecommunicator. After two years in the communications unit, Sergeant Imparato was assigned to the road patrol unit and served as a civilian Traffic Accident Investigator. After some time in the road patrol unit, he was transferred back to communications where he remained for approximately 3 more years. To improve his DUI investigation skills, Sergeant Imparato has continued his law enforcement education by attending Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, DUI Instructor, DUI Trial and Case Preparation, Advance Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), Drug Recognition Expert, and Drug Recognition Expert Instructor schools. Sergeant Imparato also serves his department as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, Instructor, and Field Training Officer. He speaks regularly to faculty, students, and community organizations about the dangers of impaired drivers.
New York’s STOP-DWI program is the Nations’ first and, to date, only self-sustaining impaired driving program. Other States have implemented components of self-sufficiency, but none to the degree of New York State.
