Oregon: State Police recognize top DUI troopers for 2013

Tillamook patrol troopers of the Oregon State Police, top DUI officers of 2013

Tillamook patrol troopers of the Oregon State Police, top DUI officers of 2013


04/29/2014 — During the 2014 annual DUII Multi-Disciplinary Impaired Driving Training Conference held April 25 – 26 in Lincoln City, the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force presented their annual awards of excellence to various organizations, groups, and individuals who made a significant contribution to deterring impaired driving in Oregon during 2013.

A municipal, county and state police agency were selected from nominations for law enforcement agencies that have shown notable improvements in impaired driving enforcement while taking a proactive, leadership role in their communities. The Oregon State Police Office or Work Site selected must have also provided a willingness to aggressively train and encourage their officers to enforce DUII and drug-impaired driving laws with a proactive approach to deter DUII.

Selected to receive the “2013 DUII Enforcement Agency-Of-The-Year” for the Oregon State Police (OSP) was the OSP Tillamook Work Site. Under the direction of Sergeant Greg Plummer, the four patrol troopers respond to calls for service and conduct enforcement contacts in a rural county with a population of less than 25,000 people spread out over 1,133 square miles.

In 2012, the Tillamook Work Site sworn staff arrested 43 DUII drivers. In 2013, troopers reported 84 DUII arrests, a 95 percent increase. Two troopers assigned to this office, Trooper John King and Trooper Aaron Butcher, ranked 1st and 2nd for DUII arrests made by all law enforcement in Tillamook County.

The Tillamook office’s work extends beyond arresting DUII drivers. One of the troopers recently completed Technical Collision Investigation School training that will assist OSP and area law enforcement agencies in thoroughly investigating crashes involving impaired drivers. Education is also a high priority as the office staff has participated in radio interviews; public service announcements; development of a training video; attending Victim’s Impact Panels; and, joining public safety partners with presentation of the “Every 15 Minutes” program at Tillamook High School.

Sergeant Plummer helps set the example for his office and is recognized statewide for his commitment to lessen the impact impaired drivers have in our communities and on our roads. Plummer is the OSP DUII Program Coordinator, currently an Oregon Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE) Program Regional Coordinator (for Clatsop, Tillamook, and Lincoln counties), and a member of the DUII Multi-Disciplinary Task Force. In 2013, he instructed at several Standardized Field Sobriety Test Refresher courses, Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Training, and at the 2013 Montana Drug Recognition Expert School.

“The work of our troopers at the Tillamook Work Site is remarkable given their staffing level. Each trooper’s work reflects our mission throughout the State to find impaired drivers on our roads before they are involved in a tragic crash. The special recognition is appreciated and well-deserved, and their work shows they strive together toward the same goal to keep our roads safe,” said OSP Superintendent Richard Evans.

The previous winner in this category last year was the OSP Albany Area Command office.

Photograph (Left to right: Trooper King, Sergeant Plummer, Trooper Butcher)