Volunteers help train Hutchinson police officers

JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police Department (HPD), with the aid of volunteers, conducted a Standard Field Sobriety Testing Wet Lab at their agency this week. The training was put on by the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11.  

“Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) are used on drivers whom are believed to be impaired,” HPD Lt. Dayton Gates said. “A Standard Field Sobriety Test Wet Lab is where officers are able to complete SFSTs on volunteers who have consumed alcohol.” 

During the testing, volunteers consumed alcohol in a controlled environment and then allowed officers to complete SFSTs on them. 

According to Lt. Gates, volunteers who were selected had to meet a certain number of guidelines. The guidelines included being under a certain age and weight, and not being on medication.  

Once selected, travel arrangements were made with each volunteer.  

Volunteers were brought in around noon both days of testing and consumed alcohol for three hours while being monitored by the KHP. After three hours, each attending officer completed SFSTs on one of the volunteers while being evaluated by the KHP on their performance.

Each day had about eight volunteers. 

The amount of alcohol volunteers were allowed was based off a couple factors, one being their weight.  

The KHP periodically had each volunteer blow into a Preliminary Breath Test to see where their blood alcohol content was at the time.  

“Their goal was to get each volunteer to a certain level, but not any further,” Lt. Gates explained. “They did not want any volunteer to get too intoxicated to the point where they could not stand, communicate, etc.”  
 
After the training had concluded each day, all volunteers were provided a ride home from the HPD, unless they made pre-arrangements with someone else. 

This Standard Field Sobriety Test Wet Lab training gives law enforcement the skills needed in detecting impaired drivers and administering a series of tests to determine if there is evidence of impairment. They allow officers to physically see clues of impairment during testing and become recertified with SFSTs.  

"There are dozens of fatality accidents in the United States every year that are caused from impaired drivers,” Lt. Gates said. “This training provides officers with more knowledge and experience with getting those impaired drivers off the street.”  
 
Lt. Gates added that the Hutchinson Police Department is going to try and have this training once every two years.  

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