Becker certified as DRE police officer | News, Sports, Jobs

LEWISTOWN – Pennsylvania has approximately 254 certified drug recognition experts in the state, three of whom work in Mifflin County.

Brian Becker of the Lewistown Police Department recently became the third member to join the ranks and became certified as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). After two weeks of training in Pittsburgh, Becker spent a week in southeastern Pennsylvania, where he conducted numerous assessments of drug-dependent individuals.

A DRE is a police officer trained to detect the impairment of drivers who are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol or in addition to them.

The program originated in the early 1970s when LPD officers noticed that many of the people arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) had very little or no alcohol in their blood. Officers reasonably suspected that the arrestees were under the influence of drugs, but lacked the knowledge and skills to substantiate their suspicions.

Officials worked with various physicians, research psychologists, and other medical professionals to develop a simple, standardized process for detecting drug influence and impairment. Their efforts culminated in the development of a multi-step protocol and the first DRE program.

During DRE training, officers are taught a systematic process that involves checking blood pressure and pulse to identify signs and symptoms associated with drug impairment. Officers also receive extensive training in recognizing common medical problems that may be mistaken for drug impairment.

Other law enforcement agencies may request certified DREs to assist in investigations to determine whether the driver of a vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol or whether the impairment could be caused by a medical emergency.

The Lewistown Police Department received a grant to cover the costs associated with Becker’s certification.

In a social media post, Lewistown Police said: “We remain committed to removing drunk drivers from the roads. We strive to ensure our officers have the training and experience necessary to identify, investigate and convict those who recklessly put our citizens in danger by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcoholic substances.”