Cannabis use is set to become legal in Canada in October, and Sudbury’s police chief says he doesn’t think the local force will be able to meet its goal of adding 10 or more new officers who are trained in recognizing drivers who are high.
Greater Sudbury Police say they currently have a low number of trained officers to detect drivers that are high.
Kaitlyn Dunn is the corporate communications coordinator for Greater Sudbury Police Service.
“Research shows that for every 100,000 people, you should have six drug recognition experts, and right now we have three. So, technically for our population, we should have ten before the legalization of marijuana.” said Dunn.
And it's a hazy issue as to when the force might get more officers trained.
Tim Burtt is a traffic sergeant for Greater Sudbury Police Service.
“In order for our officers to get trained, it's a two-part program. Part of it is here in Canada, the other part is in the United States. It's about a three-week process for officers to be trained.” said Burtt.
He says the waiting lists are long with police services across Canada lining up for the training.
Also, there is currently no government-approved roadside testing device for marijuana impairment.
Right now, the service has 35 officers trained in standard field sobriety testing.
“We are looking to have all front-line officers trained. So, that is 120 officers that need to be trained in orders to do SFST testing. “ said Dunn.
“These officers are called, once a person is arrested for impaired, to determine if it's alcohol that they are impaired by or whether it's a drug that they are impaired by. So, the officers will come in, do a battery of tests, and then tell the investigating officers whether it's alcohol-related or drugs are involved and they should be calling a drug recognition expert.” said Burtt.
Greater Sudbury police say one drug recognition expert is awaiting re-certification. Two others are expected to be trained by next March, but the force says it will still be facing a drastic shortage.
