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To Our Operators
It was great to see all of you at renewal this year. Some of you decided to inactivate due to change in duties, promotion or other endeavors. We will miss you. You are always welcome to come back if things change down the road.
All current operators should remember to run practice tests regularly if you are not running a lot of DWI tests. Staying proficient on the instrument is your responsibility.
If you have any questions about procedure, materials, running tests or anything else, please let us know. Drop an email or call and we will help you.
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"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
(1879-1955) |
Training Schedule
Current 2012
Breath Test Operator:
Jan 23-27, 2012
At Midland College
Feb 20-24, 2012
New Braunfels PD
(class is full
taking waiting list)
Feb 27-March 2, 2012
Houston PD
(HOUSTON PD ONLY)
March 26-30, 2012
Sachse PD
(space available)
April 23-27, 2012 Allen PD (space available)
July 16-20, 2012
Sunset Valley
(space available)
July 23-27, 2012
Allen PD
(space available) Oct 29-Nov 2 Frisco PD (space available) Nov 12-16, 2012 Brownsville (space available)
Nov 26-30, 2012
Midland College
(space available)
Dec 3-7, 2012
Frisco PD
(space available) __________________Alcohol and Ethics: April 10, 2012 Bedford (space available) July 30, 2012 Bedford (space available) ___________________
We specialize in providing training at your facility. If you want to host a training class at your location and save on travel expenses, give us a call. We provide ethics training, courtroom demeanor training, 40 hour breath test operator training and other related training to meet your individual needs.
Online registration available here
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| Alcohol Abuse: A police tradition that needs to end
Not long ago, "choir practice" was where police officers gathered after work to make a little harmony.
No, they weren't going to church.
"Choir practice," according to 20-year Fort Worth police veteran Billy Mitchell, was code for meeting for drinks, something he says was once a common happening.
That practice wasn't limited to Fort Worth. Police officers everywhere know what the term means.
Social researchers, as well as some current Fort Worth officers, say alcohol use is a tradition within police culture. For some it's a way to be accepted by "the rest of the guys." For others, it serves as a coping mechanism, self-medication for dealing with the pressure of a stressful job that few officers talk about beyond the circle of blue brotherhood.
Alcohol abuse is a major issue in many police departments. A recent string of highly publicized cases, including a tragic DWI incident in which a young mother... Full Story Here |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our new 2012 newsletter edition. Many of you have requested a monthly newsletter, so we hope to kick the new year off right by providing that for you. There certainly is plenty of information to fill it! We have been busy with travel and training. Now that Annual Renewal is over, it is time to plan for our upcoming changes in 2012. The biggest change is in our staff and our lab. We now have two new Technical Supervisors in training. Many of the operators met them during the renewal sessions. For those of you who haven't, their names are Katie Scott and Nick Pierce. Once they are trained and certified, they will be performing instrument checks, going to court, doing training and all the other things that technical supervisors do. It is great to have them onboard. They are both excellent folks and I know they will be an asset to our program. In February we will be moving into a BRAND NEW LAB! Our new location (2700 Tibbets Dr, Suite 102) is behind HEB Hospital in Bedford. This new lab is being outfitted so we can begin to provide additional services to you in the future. So, be looking for news about that in the coming issues. We should be fully functional in the new space by mid to late March. Phone numbers may change. If so, we will get that information to you in the upcoming newsletters. We also picked up a new customer in 2011. Midland College. We now provide technical supervisor services to Midland and Howard Counties. I look forward to a great 2012 and hope each of you have a wonderful year as well! Lisa E. Fondren President, Fondren Forensics |
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1 in 12 Leave Major Sports Events Drunk
A study conducted by the University of Minnesota determined that one in every 12 fans leaves a major sporting event while intoxicated. Researchers measuring the blood alcohol content of 382 adults who had attended baseball and football games found that 8 percent of the fans registered a blood alcohol content in excess of the legal threshold for intoxication, 0.08%. Those participating in tailgating activities before a game were 14 times more likely to be drunk when leaving the sports venue.
In 2006, the team of researchers would approach fans at professional sporting events and ask them to submit to an anonymous breath test and answer a five minute survey. Many resisted, perhaps not wanting to know the result or an interest in leaving the stadium and getting home. An average of 20 fans per event did participate in the study. 58% of them were male, and 55% were between the ages of 21 and 35.
The significant concern is that the intoxicated fans likely would be driving home, leading to drunk driving accidents and injuries. Some have used the study to ask stadiums, universities and other sporting venues to conduct better sobriety checks, discourage tailgating and limit drinks served to fans during events.
Link to story here |
Nominate an Agency or a Person for our Spotlight Profile
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In The Spotlight
We are happy to welcome two new agencies to our area, Midland and Big Spring. We are glad to add you to the list of agencies we service, and look forward to helping in any way we can! |
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Do Drops
tips and reminders for breath test operators
- Remember the 15 minute waiting period prior to beginning your subject test.
- Run a practice test occasionally, especially if you are not routinely running DWIs
- Always check the temperature of the Simulator before running your test. Should be between 33.8 and 34.2 degrees Celcius
- All tests run on your Intoxilyzer are evidential in nature. Keep that in mind as you run your tests and distribute your paperwork
- Review your operator manual before going to court
- Call your Technical Supervisor immediately if problems arise
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Sign Up for Our Courtroom Demeanor and Ethics Courses Now!
*The Courtroom Demeanor course is an 8 hour workshop designed to provide the tools necessary for improving testimony clarity, delivery, and confidence.
*The Ethics Course is also an 8 hour training class. It is designed to help law enforcement personnel make better choices regarding social drinking and driving. This course emphasizes professionalism and attacks difficult issues head-on.
TCLEOSE credits may be available.
Upcoming Courtroom Demeanor Course:
Looking for host agency
Available dates for Ethics Course:
Tuesday April 10th 2012
Monday July 30th 2012
Sign up today or Contact us with any questions!
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Have a safe and joyous 2012!
Sincerely,
Lisa Fondren
Fondren Forensics Inc
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