Local officer receives drug-recognition expert certification

Posted
Brooks Brown Brooks Brown

A Pagosa Springs police officer has obtained certification as a drug-recognition expert (DRE) after completing a law enforcement training program sponsored by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The certification, which took Pagosa Springs Police Department Officer Brooks Brown months of training and work, is one of the highest trainings available on the subject in the state, and is already paying off for the PSPD.

“Officer Brown has done a lot of hard work, way above and beyond what is required as a standard, and deserves to be recognized and commended for his dedication,” Pagosa Springs Police Chief William Rockensock wrote of his officer in an email to SUN staff.

Since receiving the certification earlier this summer, Brown has set into motion at least three cases of alleged drugged driving, Rockensock said — easily besting the one case per year Rockensock said has been typical within the department.

“Ultimately, Officer Brown’s advanced training was needed for the police department to properly address the concern of increased drugged driving offenses and the traffic safety issues that arise from those offenses,” Rockensock noted.

Brown started with the PSPD in 2011, and shortly thereafter began training in the field of detecting impaired driving.

The full version of this story is available in the print edition and e-edition of the Pagosa Springs SUN. Subscribe today by calling (970)264-2100 or click here.