Hiawassee Police Department schedules advanced drug impairment detection training

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department recently scheduled Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement (ARIDE) training for May 23 – 24 at Hiawassee City Hall, The 16-hour course is designed to enhance law enforcement officers’ ability to recognize psychophysical and clinical indicators of impairment consistent with a subject who is under the influence of drugs, or a combination of drugs and alcohol, while taking appropriate action.

“A training officer with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, GA contacted Sgt. Travis Gibson with the Clayton Police Department, seeking a location in North Georgia to host the class” Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith told FYN “Sgt. Gibson, a part time officer with Hiawassee Police Department, requested the use of the Training Room at the Hiawassee City Hall for the two day course. The class is open to all law enforcement officers who wish to attend. Sgt. Gibson, a Drug Recognition Expert, will be one of the two instructors.”

The course builds upon skills learned in Standard Field Sobriety Testing training in which law enforcement officers focus on identifying and assessing motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, Smith said. The purpose is to reduce the amount of impaired drivers, and in turn, lessen impaired driving collisions.

The two-day ARIDE course is free of charge for qualified law enforcement officers. Prior DUI – Standard Field Sobriety Testing training is required.