Area law officers attend training session

Law enforcement officers from throughout the area attended three days of training at the Manila Airport Center last week. Classes in standardized field sobriety and DWI detection were held.

The training was under the direction of the Criminal Justice Institute (CJI). Attending the classes were officers from the Highway Police Department, Jonesboro PD, Marmaduke PD, Lepanto PD, Blytheville, PD., Helena PD., Greene County PD, and Manila PD.

Manila Chief of Police Jackie Hill said the continuing education is part of the requirements for recertification.

"We appreciate having the classes held in Manila," Hill said.

Sgt. Darren Smith with the Highway Police said the standardized field sobriety and DWI detection classes are given across the state in an effort to help officers keep their certification and do a good job.

Stephanie Copeland serves as the CJI coordinator for the three day training sessions. Officers are required to be recertified every two years in the field sobriety detection. The classes and materials are provided by CJI at no charge to the officers.