Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)

Course Overview: The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office, is presenting a specialized two-day training program focused on advanced impaired driving enforcement techniques. This program bridges the gap between basic sobriety testing and comprehensive drug evaluation by equipping officers with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and document signs of impairment from various substances and alcohol.

Schedule: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 through Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Location: Ansonia Police Department, 65 Main Street, Ansonia, 06401

Prerequisites: Candidates must have successfully completed a NHTSA/IACP approved Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) training that included a wet lab component.

Program Development: The ARIDE curriculum was created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with collaboration from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP).

Course Content: Participants will receive a comprehensive review of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and must demonstrate proficiency in these assessments before an instructor. The program provides an overview of seven drug categories and their physiological effects on the human body. Officers will develop competencies in observing, identifying, and documenting indicators of impairment related to controlled substances, alcohol, or combinations thereof. The training covers medical conditions and other factors that may mimic impairment signs, the significance of eye examinations in detecting drug use, current SFST testing methodologies, and legal considerations surrounding impaired driving enforcement and arrest procedures.

Enrollment: Class capacity is limited to 30 attendees. Registration must be completed through the Acadis portal no later than close of business on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Contact the Field Services Training Division at 203-427-2625 for additional information.

Requirements: A personal laptop is necessary to access course materials; participants must bring their own device. Lunch is available for purchase at nearby restaurants. The uniform Dress Code established in POST General Notice 23-02 will be enforced.

Cost: This course has no tuition fee.