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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FROM AAA INSURANCE OF OKLAHOMA TO BE USED BY THE NORMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE A STATEWIDE DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT IN-SERVICE CLASS.
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BACKGROUND: AAA Insurance is a strong supporter of the prevention of impaired driving on the roadways across the State of Oklahoma. AAA Insurance is making a donation for the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program in Oklahoma to conduct an in-service/conference for DRE trained officers. This training will help address impaired driving offenses across the state.
DISCUSSION: Deputy Chief Jim Maisano serves as the State Coordinator for the DRE program in Oklahoma. For over fifteen years the Norman Police Department has annually received a grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office for the police department to host a DRE training class for officers from across the state to help enforce and deter impaired driving.
AAA Insurance of Oklahoma contacted Deputy Chief Maisano and indicated their desire to donate funds to cover the costs of an in-service/conference to provide updated training for DRE officers within the state. AAA Insurance stated they would be willing to donate $15,000 to cover the costs associated for the training to be conducted. The training will provide the DRE officers from across the state with updated information on current trends and efforts related to the detection and prevention of impaired driving offenses. Currently there are fifty-four (54) departments which have at least one DRE trained officer that could receive a benefit from the proposed training. This would include up to twelve (12) employees with the Norman Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City of Norman accept the donation of $15,000 from AAA Insurance of Oklahoma and deposit funds into Donation/Organization (010-0000-365.13-73) and appropriate the funds to Workshops & Seminars (010-6010-421.46-04).