NMDRE Recognitions
Impacts of Cannabis Legislation on Traffic Safety
2023 New Mexico DRE of the Year
February 6th, 2024
The New Mexico DRE Program is honored to recognize an exemplary Law Enforcement Officer from New Mexico who has made significant strides in holding drug-impaired drivers accountable throughout 2023. The New Mexico DRE Committee has awarded Linda Smith of the Albuquerque Police Department the title of New Mexico Drug Recognition Expert of the Year for 2023.
Linda Smith embarked on her career with the Albuquerque Police Department in 2018. In September 2022, she joined the Traffic Section DWI unit, and in March 2023, she became a DWI SFST Instructor, teaching both basic courses and refresher training at the Academy. She frequently collaborates with the New Mexico State Police to offer support for their classes in Santa Fe. Her dedication to DWI education and her commitment to training police cadets are truly commendable. In April 2022, she earned certification as a DRE Officer and has conducted 21 evaluations since gaining her certification. By January 2024, she achieved certification as a DRE Instructor and has demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the DRE curriculum through her student teaching.
Linda has also received an invitation to attend the IDTS DRE conference in August 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Thank you, Linda Smith, for your unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of New Mexico’s roadways and for your contributions toward our collective goal to #ENDWI.
2022 New Mexico DRE of the Year
March 6th, 2023
The New Mexico DRE Program takes great pride in honoring a distinguished New Mexico Law Enforcement Officer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to holding drug-impaired drivers accountable in 2022. The New Mexico DRE Committee has chosen Sergeant Eden Flores from the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office as the New Mexico Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year for 2022.
Having joined the Sheriff's department in October 2013, Sergeant Flores moved to the Traffic Section in 2016, where she has engaged in crash reconstruction, pedestrian and bicycle investigations, as well as crash data retrieval. Additionally, she serves as both a firearms Instructor and a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) Instructor.
Since becoming a DRE Officer in 2017, Sergeant Flores has successfully completed 42 DRE Evaluations, boasting an impressive 100% accuracy rate. In 2022 alone, she conducted 5 evaluations while fulfilling her responsibilities as the day shift supervisor. Furthermore, Sergeant Flores is an active participant in the statewide DRE Committee.
Sergeant Flores was acknowledged at the New Mexico DRE Committee Meeting in March 2023 and has received an invitation to participate in the 29th Annual Conference on Drugs, Alcohol, and Impaired Driving in Anaheim, California, taking place in August 2023.
Thank you, Sergeant Flores, for your unwavering dedication to keeping New Mexico’s roadways safe and for your invaluable contributions toward our collective goal to #ENDWI.
2021 New Mexico DRE of the Year
January 8th, 2022
The New Mexico DRE Program proudly recognizes a New Mexico Law Enforcement Officer who has gone above and beyond in holding drug-impaired drivers accountable in 2021. The New Mexico DRE Committee has selected Officer Raymond Torres, of the Los Lunas Police Department, as the New Mexico Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year for 2021.
Throughout 2021, Officer Torres continuously sought out and identified drug-impaired drivers and removed them from New Mexico’s roadways. Officer Torres’ enforcement evaluations alone, accounted for over 7% of the States’ total enforcement evaluations for 2021. Throughout 2021, Officer Torres has been called upon by members of his own agency, as well as surrounding agencies to assist in impaired driving investigations.
In 2021, Officer Torres maintained a 100% accuracy rate in determining the specific drug category (or categories) a suspected drug-impaired driver was under the influence of, as corroborated by toxicology results.
Officer Torres has been certified as a New Mexico Drug Recognition Expert since 2018. He is currently assigned to the Los Lunas Police Departments’ DWI unit, and he serves the Los Lunas Police Department and State of New Mexico as a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing/DWI Instructor. Officer Torres utilizes his instructorship to emphasize the importance of the DRE Program to members of his own agency as well as surrounding agencies in SFST refreshers and basic SFST classes which he leads or assists with.
Officer Torres will be recognized at the New Mexico DRE Committee Meeting in March 2022 and has been invited to attend the 28th Annual Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Impaired Driving in San Antonio, Texas in August 2022.
Thank you, Officer Torres, for your dedication in keeping New Mexico’s roadways safe and your efforts in our overall goal to #ENDWI.
April 8th, 2021
On behalf of the New Mexico DRE Program, New Mexico DRE instructors were honored to have the opportunity to present DECP founder Dick Studdard with a recognition plaque 'in extreme appreciation for his tireless work in the development of the DECP and his contributions to the NMDRE Program'. This week, NMDRE was beyond privileged to have Mr. Studdard assist in training our newest DRE candidates as they progress through the academic phases of the DRE certification training. We are incredibly appreciative to Mr. Studdard for sharing his time and experiences with us!
2021 DRE School- Albuquerque, NM
April 6th, 2021
KRQE
New Mexico Police Receiving Specialized Drugged Driving Training
We recently welcomed the media to one of our specialized Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) certification schools, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at how law enforcement officers are shaped into proficient identifiers of drug-impaired drivers. This intensive three-week program equips officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to become certified Drug Recognition Experts.
Throughout the training, participants engage in rigorous coursework and practical assessments designed to deepen their understanding of drug impairment indicators. Upon certification, these officers emerge as indispensable assets to their agencies and communities, enhancing public safety and ensuring responsible enforcement of drug-related laws.
NMDRE Recognition Award
March 8th, 2021
On March 8th, 2021, the New Mexico D.R.E. Committee recognized Captain Micah Doering of the New Mexico State Police for his continuous contributions to the D.R.E. Program in New Mexico. Captain Doering serves the NMDRE Program as the Northern Region Coordinator and acts as a liaison between the New Mexico State Police and the New Mexico D.R.E. Program.
Captain Doering has been a certified Drug Recognition Expert in New Mexico since 2006. In 2009 he became certified as a D.R.E. Instructor. Captain Doering has maintained these certifications while balancing his responsibilities as the NMSP Commander for District 10, Farmington.
Captain Doering was recognized and presented with a plaque in appreciation and recognition for his dedication and commitment to the New Mexico D.R.E. Program.
Thank you, Captain Doering, for everything you do to help #ENDWI in New Mexico.
2020 New Mexico DRE of the Year
March 8th, 2021
The New Mexico DRE Program proudly recognizes a New Mexico Law Enforcement Officer who has gone above and beyond in holding drug-impaired drivers accountable in 2020. The New Mexico DRE Committee has selected Officer Michael Hetes, of the Rio Rancho Police Department, as the New Mexico Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year for 2020.
While the State endured many unknowns and uncertainties throughout the pandemic, Officer Hetes continued to seek out and identify drug-impaired drivers and removed them from New Mexico’s roadways. Officer Hetes’ enforcement evaluations alone, accounted for over 5% of the States’ total enforcement evaluations for 2020. Officer Hetes promptly enters his enforcement evaluations into a national tracking database to help ensure New Mexico and federal partners have an accurate representation of drug, and drug-impaired driving trends in our State.
In 2020, Officer Hetes’ maintained a 100% accuracy rate in determining the specific drug category (or categories) a suspected drug-impaired driver was under the influence of, as corroborated by toxicology results.
Officer Hetes is a six-year veteran of the Rio Rancho Police Department. He has been assigned to the Departments’ DWI Unit since March 2016. He serves the Rio Rancho Police Department and State of New Mexico as a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing/DWI Instructor and in 2020, has volunteered his DWI expertise to assist the NMDRE Program’s training program.
Officer Hetes will be recognized at the New Mexico DRE Committee Meeting in March 2021 and has been invited to attend the 27th Annual Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Impaired Driving in Orlando, Florida in August 2021.
Thank you, Officer Hetes, for your dedication in keeping New Mexico’s roadways safe and your efforts in our overall goal to #ENDWI.
Our Partnership with MADD New Mexico
MADD New Mexico Chatterbox June 19th, 2020
We are proud to highlight our partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New Mexico, a collaboration that exemplifies our commitment to community safety and well-being. This partnership, along with others we have built, underscores the importance of our initiatives in fostering safer environments for all New Mexicans.
APPRECIATION AWARD NMDRE COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 2020
LT. JOEL HOLT
**Appreciation Award Highlight: LT Holt**
In recognition of outstanding dedication and exemplary service, we proudly present this appreciation award to LT Holt for his unwavering commitment to the NMDRE program. LT Holt embodies the principles we uphold within the NMDRE progr, utilizing his extensive knowledge and expertise to enrich both administrative functions and field operations.
2019 New Mexico DRE of the Year
January 7th, 2020
The New Mexico DRE Program would like to recognize a New Mexico Officer who has gone above and beyond in holding drug impaired drivers accountable in 2019. The New Mexico DRE Committee has selected Officer Ricky Dominguez, of the Bosque Farms Police Department, as the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) of the Year for 2019.
Officer Dominguez conducted the most enforcement evaluations in New Mexico in 2019. His evaluations alone accounted for 10% of all evaluations conducted within the State.
Officer Dominguez has a 100% accuracy rate in determining the specific drug category (or categories) a suspected drug impaired driver is under the influence of, as correlated by toxicology results.
Officer Dominguez, as a new Drug Recognition Expert, continues to seek out opportunities to learn and advance his knowledge, as he simultaneously gains experience in the field of drug impairment through his hard work. He has already established credibility for himself as a DRE, as well as the DRE Program in the Courts within his jurisdiction.
Officer Dominguez is assigned to the Patrol Division and is responsible for coordinating checkpoints within his jurisdiction, in addition to his normal Patrol duties. He is often called upon for his assistance in impaired driving investigations by fellow Officers from his own, and surrounding jurisdictions. Officer Dominguez has been a certified Drug Recognition Expert since 2018. He has 13 years of Law Enforcement experience and has been with the Bosque Farms Police Department for just over two years.
Officer Dominguez will be recognized at the New Mexico DRE Committee Meeting and has been invited to attend the 26th Annual Conference on Drugs, Alcohol and Impaired Driving in San Antonio, Texas in August 2020.
Thank you, Officer Dominguez, for your dedication in keeping New Mexico’s roadways safe!
Coffee & Conversation August 19th, 2019
SFST/DWI Instructor of the Year 2019
Corporal Patrick Bryant (Carlsbad Police Department) was recognized by Southwest Training Consultants as the 2019 New Mexico SFST Instructor of the Year. Corporal Bryant has been a DRE since 2015 and a DRE Instructor in New Mexico since 2018. Congratulations Corporal Bryant on your accomplishment, and thank you for everything you do to help #ENDWI!
DRE of the Year Press Releases
