Police services from across the province have taken part in the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Drug Recognition Expert Program.
According to a news release from Saskatchewan RCMP, from Jan. 9-20 members of the Saskatchewan RCMP, Regina Police Service, Saskatoon Police Service and Prince Albert Police Service trained in Regina to become Drug Recognition Evaluators as part of that program. A total of 15 police officers completed the intensive two week theory portion of the training; then on Feb. 23 they travelled to the U.S. to complete a week-long practical field evaluation portion of the course. After that they became fully certified to conduct evaluations on suspected drug impaired drivers.
Drug recognition, including detection and evaluation of drug-impaired drivers, is seen as a focus for police services in Saskatchewan, and in line with their shared commitment to safe roads and highways. According to the RCMP it is another tool police officers in Saskatchewan are using to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roads.
Over 50 police officers in the province are trained as Drug Recognition Evaluators, including those from the RCMP, Saskatoon Police Service, Regina Police Service, Prince Albert Police Service, Moose Jaw Police Service and Dalmeny Police Service.
