Washington State Patrol announced on October 28, 2026 that 12 law-enforcement officers had completed the training required to become certified Drug Recognition Experts, or DREs. The agency made the announcement in partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
What the certification training covers
According to the State Patrol, the program prepares officers to identify drivers under the influence of drugs other than alcohol, or drugs in addition to alcohol.
WSP manages the program in Washington. Nationally, it is managed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the release says.
What the announcement establishes
The release labels the group DRE School 45. It does not name the 12 officers or identify their departments; the announcement should not be read as saying all 12 are WSP troopers.
October 28, 2026 is the date of the agency announcement, not a separately verified graduation or examination date.
Source: Washington State Patrol’s October 28, 2026 release. Training and certification details above are attributed to that agency account.
_(17955157963).jpg){kind=link}