Drug Recognition Expert (DRE)

The Shelby Township Police Department makes every effort to keep our streets safe from motorists who are impaired by drugs or alcohol. To help maintain safe roadways in Shelby Township, the department recently sent an officer to become certified as a Drug Recognition Expert. Only a limited number of officers in Michigan hold Drug Recognition Expert certification, and the Shelby Township Police Department is proud to have one among our ranks.

A Drug Recognition Expert completes extensive training to enhance an officer’s ability to identify, evaluate and document suspected drug impairment. A Drug Recognition Expert conducts a detailed diagnostic examination of people arrested for impaired driving when a breath alcohol test result is low or zero. A Drug Recognition Expert is also utilized in crashes that involve serious injuries or fatalities.

The Drug Recognition Expert examination takes approximately one hour to complete. The examiner evaluates the person’s appearance and behavior, measures and records vital signs and observes automatic responses and reactions. The examiner also administers psychophysical tests to evaluate judgement, information processing ability and coordination. The Drug Recognition Expert systematically considers all observed factors that could indicate drug or narcotic influence. The examiner’s opinion is then corroborated or refuted by evidentiary blood test results from the Michigan State Police Crime Lab.

By having an officer certified as a Drug Recognition Expert, we further our mission to keep the streets and motorists of Shelby Township safe.