Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)
The Police Officer Standards and Training Council's Field Services Training Division, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office, is presenting a comprehensive two-day training program focused on advanced techniques for identifying and addressing impaired driving. The course takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9–10, 2027, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day at the Connecticut Police Academy, located at 285 Preston Avenue, Meriden, Connecticut 06450.
This program was created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in collaboration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Technical Advisory Panel. While the primary emphasis is on recognizing drug-impaired drivers, participants will also review Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and must demonstrate competency in performing these assessments under instructor observation. Successful completion of the SFST proficiency evaluation is required to proceed through the course.
The Standardized Field Sobriety Test program teaches officers to recognize and evaluate drivers suspected of alcohol impairment, whereas the Drug Evaluation and Classification program offers specialized instruction in assessing suspected drug impairment. ARIDE serves as a connector between these programs by equipping officers with foundational knowledge about drug impairment and encouraging the expanded use of Drug Recognition Experts throughout Connecticut. The course curriculum covers an overview of seven categories of drugs and their physiological effects on the human body. Attendees learn to observe, recognize, and communicate signs indicating impairment from drugs, alcohol, or combinations thereof. The course also addresses medical conditions and other factors that may mimic impairment signs, the significance of eye examinations in drug detection and classification, and current developments in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. Legal considerations related to impaired driving, including pre-arrest and post-arrest procedures, are also covered.
Participants must bring a personal laptop computer to access course materials. Class enrollment is capped at thirty-four attendees. Registration through the Acadis portal must be completed by Tuesday, February 16, 2027. For additional information, contact the Field Services Training Division at post.fieldservices@ct.gov.
There is no tuition for this course. Meals are available for purchase at nearby restaurants. The standard uniform dress code established for POST in-service training under General Notice 23-02 applies to all participants, and training supervisors are expected to ensure that assigned personnel comply with dress requirements.
Before attending, candidates must have successfully completed a NHTSA/IACP-approved Standardized Field Sobriety Tests training program that included a wet lab component.
Training Credit Hours
- Area 610 Impaired Driving (13 hours)