A Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputy made his first DUI arrest this month using skills he learned through new Drug Recognition Expert training.
A WCSO deputy stopped a car on Highway 98 in Miramar Beach after clocking it at 64 miles per hour in a 45.
The driver showed signs of impairment when the deputy spoke with him. He had slurred speech, glassy eyes, and struggled with simple instructions during field sobriety tests. He also told the deputy he had smoked marijuana about five hours earlier.
After a breath sample of 0.049 g/210L, Field Training Officer Deputy Hampton Tardif, fresh out of Drug Recognition Expert training, completed a full drug influence evaluation. In Florida, DUI can be proven by a breath alcohol level of 0.08 g/210L or by showing that someone’s normal faculties are impaired. Based on the evaluation and the deputy’s observations, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
Deputy Tardif and Field Training Officer Benjamin Jacobs recently earned their Drug Recognition Expert certification through the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The program teaches deputies how to identify drug‑related impairment and how to tell the difference between drug use and medical conditions. Jacobs ranked first in his class.
Sheriff Michael Adkinson said this training strengthens the agency’s efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road. “Drug impairment on our roadways is a real danger,” Adkinson said. “Having more Drug Recognition Experts on our team helps us protect our community. We are proud of Deputies Jacobs and Tardif for completing this tough training.”
The addition of two new Drug Recognition Experts gives deputies another tool to help keep Walton County’s roads safe and to ensure impaired drivers are held accountable.
