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SFST

 Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Course

​Background:

In the 1970s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began sponsoring research studies into the development of standardized tests for law enforcement officers to use to evaluate levels of impairment in drivers suspected of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs or driving while intoxicated (DWI).  A number of tests were studied, and some of them were validated by the studies as being accurate indicators of impairment. 

The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) course, also known as the DUI or DWI Detection course,  is a comprehensive course that is designed to increase the student's ability to detect impairment in drivers.  The fundamental purpose of this training course is to foster DWI deterrence, i.e., to dissuade people from driving while impaired by increasing the odds that they will be arrested and convicted. SFST training focuses on the three-phases of the DUI/DWI detection investigation, and especially on the battery of three tests that were validated by NHTSA in their studies. Students in this class learn how to recognize and document the presence or lack of clues from each test that indicate impairment in suspected DUI subjects. Successful completion of this class has resulted in attendees' improved ability to remove impaired drivers from California's roadways.

Course Description:

This course is a 16 hour classroom course which includes instruction on:

  • NHTSA Studies
  • General Deterrence
  • Physiology
  • Vehicle Code Review
  • Detection as a Three-Phase Process
  • Processing the Arrested Subject
  • Courtroom Testimony
  • SFST Instruction & Proficiency Testing
  • Report Writing

Pre-requisites:

In order to be considered for training in the SFST program, a person must be employed under direct contact of a criminal justice agency or institution involved in providing training services to law enforcement agencies.

Registration:

In order to register for this course, students are required to electronically submit a Training Request form to the course coordinator. An email with a name and POST ID number will not suffice to reserve a roster spot.

Fees & Costs:

There is no registration fee to attend this course. If a facility use fee is charged by the hosting agency, it will be noted in the expanded course description. This course is funded through the California Office of Traffic Safety DRE Grant. Travel reimbursement is not available for this course.

Hosting:

If your agency is interested in hosting this course at your training facility, please contact the SFST State Coordinator, Officer Randy Brunson at (916) 843-3344 or Randy.Brunson@chp.ca.gov. 

 Upcoming SFST Classes

 

 

SFST Class - WhittierSFST Class - Whittier7/10/2023 2:00:00 PM7/11/2023 11:00:00 PMFor questions, or to register for this class, please submit a Training Request form to Michael Downing via e-mail at mcdownin@lasd.org or phone at (323) 890-5054.STARS Center, Classroom F-105, 11515 S Colima Rd. Whittier, CA 90604<p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request Form</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 25<br>Fee: No <br>Wet Lab: Yes<br>Pre-Requisites: None <br>POST CCN: 1270-20290-23-007<br></p>
SFST Instructor Class - GlendaleSFST Instructor Class - Glendale7/10/2023 3:00:00 PM7/15/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class, complete a CHP 522, Training Request form along with the SFST Instsructor Application. E-mail both along with your SFST certificate to Michael Phillips at michphillips@chp.ca.gov. For questions call (916) 843-4360.Glendale Police Dpt. 131 N. Isabel St. Glendale, CA 91206<p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 10<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: No<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: SFST<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20291-23-001<br></p><p><br></p>
SFST Class - Vandenberg SFB SFST Class - Vandenberg SFB7/10/2023 3:30:00 PM7/13/2023 12:30:00 AMTo register for this class, or for questions, please submit a CHP 522, Training Request to Randy Brunson via e-mail at randy.brunson@chp.ca.gov or call (916) 843-4360.278 South Dakota Ave. 30 SFS/S3T Vandenberg, CA <p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 25<br></p><p>Fee: No</p><p>Wet Lab: Yes<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: None</p><p>POST CCN: 1270-20290-23-003<br></p>
SFST Class - Arroyo Grande SFST Class - Arroyo Grande 7/20/2023 3:00:00 PM7/22/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class please submit a Training Request form to Jeremy Burns via e-mail at jburns@arroyogrande.org. For more information, please call (805) 473-5100.Arroyo Grande PD 200 N Halcyon Rd. Arroyo Grande, CA 93420<p>​<a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 20<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: No<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: None<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20290-23-005<br></p>
SFST Class - South Lake TahoeSFST Class - South Lake Tahoe7/25/2023 3:00:00 PM7/27/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class please submit a Training Request form to Randy Brunson via e-mail at Randy.Brunson@chp.ca.gov. For questions, please e-mail or call (916) 843-4360.South Lake Tahoe PD: 1352 Johnson Blvd. South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150<p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 25<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: No<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: None<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20290-23-004<br></p>
SFST Class - CarlsbadSFST Class - Carlsbad7/31/2023 3:00:00 PM8/2/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class please submit a CHP 522, Training Request form to Randy Brunson via e-mail Randy.Brunson@chp.ca.gov. For more information, please call (916) 843-4360.Carlsbad Safety Training Center: 5750 Orian St. Carlsbad, CA 92010<p>​<a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 25<br></p><p>Fee: No</p><p>Wet Lab: No<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: None<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20290-23-002<br></p>
SFST Class - Pittsburg***CLASS IS FULL***SFST Class - Pittsburg***CLASS IS FULL***8/8/2023 3:00:00 PM8/11/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class please submit a Training Request form to Gerrit Van Rooyen via e-mail gvanrooyen@pittsburgca.gov.. For questions, please e-mail or call (925) 252-6950.65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565<p>​**CLASS IS FULL**<br></p><p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 20<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: Yes<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: None<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20290-23-006<br></p>
SFST Instructor Class - Folsom SFST Instructor Class - Folsom 8/14/2023 3:00:00 PM8/19/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class, complete a CHP 522, Training Request form along with the SFST Instructor Application. E-mail both along with your SFST certificate to Michael Phillips at michphillips@chp.ca.gov. For questions call (916) 843-4360. Folsom PD - 46 Natoma Street Folsom, CA 95630<p>​<a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 10<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: No<br></p><p>Pre-Requisites: SFST<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20291-23-002<br></p><p><br></p>
SFST Class - Redwood CitySFST Class - Redwood City9/25/2023 3:00:00 PM9/28/2023 12:00:00 AMTo register for this class please submit a Training Request form to Sarah Hathaway via e-mail at shathaway@smcgov.org. For questions, please e-mail or call (650) 573-2545.1300 Maple Street, Redwood City CA 94063 Wet Lab @ 1601 Coyote Point Training Center 1601 Coyote Pt. Rd San Mateo CA 94401<p>This class is full but there is a wait list available.<br></p><p><a href="/ImpairedDrivingSite/Documents/Training%20Request%20066%20Rev%202-18.pdf" target="_blank">Training Request 066 Rev 2-18.pdf</a><br></p><p>Max Class Size: 15<br></p><p>Fee: No<br></p><p>Wet Lab: Yes<br></p><p> Pre- Requisites: None<br></p><p>POST CNN: 1270-20290-23-001<br></p>

 
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