DUI Field Sobriety Tests in Arizona

Reader’s Question:

I understand that police officers are trained enough to conduct field sobriety tests on people whom they think that are drunk driving but the question is, how are police officers in  Arizona trained for conducting such tests?

Easton

Glendale, AZ

Field sobriety tests (FST’s) program have long been implemented on DUI investigation since the Advisory Committee on Highway Safety of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) passed a resolution which recommended for law enforcement agencies to adopt the program developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As the program continues to grow, it has become apparent that in order to ensure continued success, nationally accepted standards should be established. These standards that establish criteria for the selection and training of standardized field sobriety test (SFST) practitioners will help ensure the continued high level of success of the SFST program.

Law enforcement officers at present, which include those in Glendale, Arizona, have training in the SFST program which is 16 hours in length and include at least two controlled drinking sessions utilizing volunteer drinkers. This is in conformity with section 1.2 of the Standards for Training in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.