By: Jessica Rae
jrae@kcautv.com
Two of the most successful drug recognition experts in Northwest Iowa are in Sioux and Plymouth county's, and both are set to receive a big honor from the governor for their hard work.
A DRE is an officer that uses a "hands on approach" to determine if someone is on drugs, but not only that they can find out what type of drugs.
Caleb Haverdink with the Sioux County Sheriff's office, and Dan Pleuger, with the Plymouth County Sheriff's office are both DREs.
Each one of them went through extensive training to become drug recognition experts.
That training allows them to quickly determine if someone is driving impaired, something you're typical officer can't do.
Officer Haverdink says, "What the officers typically do out in the field can go along ways with determining if someone is under the influence of a drug other than alcohol, but it can only go so far, and that is why someone who has more training is needed."
Some of the things the officers do, is test a persons blood pressure, record the body temperature, and examine the arms and the eyes of the suspect to find any signs of drug use.
In 2012 each officer had 18 DRE investigations, which is the most for any officer in Northwest Iowa.
Officer Plueger says, "Through this training we've been able to keep more impaired drivers off the road, and keep the road ways safe for everybody."
These two officers are going to be rewarded for their hard work next Wednesday.
They'll both be recognized at the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Conference in Altoona.
They'll also be given a special camera which will be mounted on their bodies to help prove their cases in court.
