Longview, Texas – Twelve law‑enforcement officers representing ten local agencies gathered at Kilgore College’s Longview campus this week to finish a rigorous 50‑hour Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) instructor course. The training, funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation, equips participants to return to their departments as certified instructors, teaching fellow officers how to recognize and investigate impaired driving, including both alcohol and drug impairment.
Why the training matters
Program instructor Yancy Greene emphasized the growing need for drug‑recognition skills. “In the state of Texas, every police officer is trained on alcohol impairment, but very few are trained on drug or recognizing drug impairment,” Greene said. He added that expanding these capabilities helps build stronger cases and protects the community, noting that some medical conditions can be mistaken for impairment.
Local impact
Mineola Police Corporal Trent Wellborn highlighted the significance for Wood County. “We previously lacked an SFST instructor to conduct local refresher courses,” Wellborn explained. “Now we can bring these skills back home, ensuring our officers are better prepared to identify impaired drivers and protect our residents.”
Wellborn also cited a sobering statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: the average impaired driver makes about 80 trips before being stopped. He expressed hope that the new training will reduce that number and deter dangerous behavior.
Statewide safety context
Texas crash data shows that more than 35% of fatal highway incidents involve impairment, with a death occurring roughly every three hours. By increasing the number of qualified SFST instructors, the state aims to curb these tragic numbers and improve the quality of evidence presented in courts.
Next steps for participating agencies
Each officer will return to their respective agency to conduct training sessions for fellow deputies and patrol officers. The curriculum covers basic field sobriety tests, advanced drug‑recognition techniques, and best practices for documenting observations. Agencies plan to schedule regular refresher courses to keep skills current and to share the latest developments in impairment detection.
Community leaders have praised the initiative, noting that better‑trained officers translate to safer roads for families, churches, and businesses throughout East Texas. The collaboration between local law‑enforcement, Kilgore College, and the Texas Department of Transportation demonstrates a proactive, faith‑centered approach to protecting families and upholding the Constitution’s guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Looking ahead
The grant‑funded program reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to public‑safety training and infrastructure improvements across the nation. By investing in local officers, the administration supports traditional families and community resilience, reinforcing the values that make East Texas neighborhoods strong.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
