With having such a passion for OWI and drug enforcement, I wanted to become a DRE. There are only roughly 300-400 DREs in the State of Wisconsin out of 10,000+ officers. A DRE is a highly trained officer who can testify as an expert witness in the court of law. They are trained to detect impairment from drugs, alcohol, and/or medical impairment. If it is drug impairment, a DRE is trained and able to perform a 12 step evaluation that consists of numerous different tests - including walk and turn, one leg stand, horizontal gaze nystagmus, lack of convergence, modified romberg test, and finger to nose test. It also consists of several other types of checks, such as checking pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, muscle tone, pupil size, and recent signs of ingestion. After the 12 step evaluation (typically 30-60 minutes in length) is completed, the DRE can make an expert opinion on which of the seven drug categories the subject is impaired by.

In August of 2018, while working full-time with the Weyauwega Police Department, I got accepted into the DRE school at the Milwaukee Police Academy in Milwaukee. It consisted of a total of four weeks of instruction, hands on training, quizzes, tests, and a final exam that took approximately 8-12 hours to complete. It was a very intensive training, but WELL worth it!

Since becoming a DRE, I have been able to take dozens of drug impaired drivers off of our roadways that I wouldn’t have probably arrested if it weren’t for my training. I have had officers from every department in Waupaca County call and request my assistance with OWI drug investigations. I still (to this day) get these same officers who call me to ask questions. That is just how I am - I want fellow officers to learn and SUCCEED!