Reno County Hosts Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Recertification for Area Officers

The Reno County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted a biennial Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) Recertification at the Reno County Correctional Facility on December 9 and 11, 2025. The training was conducted by instructors from the Kansas Highway Patrol, with guest instructors from the Hutchinson Police Department.

A total of 23 law enforcement officers from the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, Hutchinson Police Department, Haven Police Department, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office participated in the recertification.

The course included a “Wet Lab,” a controlled training environment where volunteers consumed alcohol to safely simulate impairment. Officers conducted field sobriety tests on the volunteers, who were given breath tests at various intervals to document their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). After the training concluded, all volunteers were safely transported home.

“Wet Lab training is beneficial for officers because they can observe DUI indicators in real time rather than only through video,” said Reno County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Chris Massingill. “It also allows officers to practice interacting with individuals who may be uncooperative or reluctant to participate in testing.”

Throughout the course, officers received classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and were evaluated through both a proficiency assessment and a written exam to ensure continued competency in standardized field sobriety testing.

Information from the Kansas Department of Transportation's Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Training Program page

Every year, impaired drivers cause thousands of traffic deaths and injuries. Law enforcement officers play a crucial role in removing these drivers from our roads. The Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Training (SFST) course equips officers with the skills needed to detect impaired drivers and administer tests to determine impairment. Developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and approved by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), this course meets national standards for consistency in content, delivery, and application. 

What Participants Learn 

• Recognizing behaviors indicative of impaired driving. 
• Proper administration of the SFST battery. 
• Determining when to make a DUI arrest. 
• Writing accurate and detailed reports. 
• Providing clear and convincing testimony. 

Course details

• Duration: 24 hours.
• Format: Primarily hands-on training using wet lab or dry lab workshops. 
• Wet Lab: Volunteers consume alcohol to simulate impairment. 
• Dry Lab: Video presentations of impaired subjects. 

Funding and availability 

KDOT provides funding to facilitate SFST training for local law enforcement officers statewide. While DUI Detection and SFST courses are now required for basic law enforcement training, this training is also available to agencies for wet lab workshops. 

Enrollment details 

In addition to the basic SFST training, a four-hour SFST refresher course is offered biennially for officers who have completed the 24-hour basic course. Officers are credentialed for two years upon completing the basic course and can renew their credentials by attending the refresher course. All credentials are valid for two years.