Law Enforcement Officer Training
Highway Safety Training & Resources
This page provides resources for West Virginia Law Enforcement Officers on Highway Safety Training Courses and documentation or forms used in compliance with Highway Safety-related law enforcement procedures.
Training Coordination & Scheduling:
Highway Safety training is scheduled periodically throughout the year across various regions. All courses can be modified to fit your agency’s specific needs and time constraints.
- View the Regional Map to find and contact your regional community coordinator.
- Contact Tiffany Hart for information on regional training or to schedule a session directly for your agency.
Law Enforcement Forms
Upcoming Law Enforcement Training
Law Enforcement Professional Standards Information System (LEPSIS):
For a complete listing of upcoming sessions, visit the official LEPSIS training page.
Training options are currently being updated, and those updates will be reflected soon.
Available Course Overviews
West Virginia's Drug Evaluation Classification (DEC) Program
Developed in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), West Virginia's DEC Program provides specialized training for law enforcement officers to become Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). It also educates prosecutors and judges in the effective prosecution of drugged drivers.
Traffic Occupant Protection Strategies (TOPS)
TOPS is an updated law enforcement course that replaces the NHTSA’s Occupant Protection Usage and Enforcement (OPUE) course. It covers education, reporting, and enforcement issues related to occupant protection, vehicle crash dynamics, and risks faced by law enforcement personnel.
The curriculum instructs officers on conducting initial crash scene evaluations, assisting in crash reconstruction, "looking beyond the ticket" for criminal infractions, managing resources, public outreach, working with media/community advocacy groups, and air bag rescue guidelines. The full course spans 2 days (7 modules) but can be shortened based on agency requirements.
Outcome: Participants will gain the knowledge and resources to confidently provide outreach to their communities on occupant protection issues.
TOPS Curriculum Orientation Workshop
This workshop is tailored for law enforcement officers previously trained as OPUE instructors, individuals with teaching/instructing experience, or those with a strong interest in traffic safety. Developed by NHTSA Region III staff and offered exclusively within this region, the workshop familiarizes instructors with the new TOPS curriculum framework. When all modules are reviewed, the workshop runs 1½ days.
Outcome: Participants will obtain the precise skills and resources necessary to successfully deliver TOPS training to their fellow officers.
Presentation of Evidence at DMV Administrative Hearings
This class is designed for West Virginia law enforcement officers acting as the Arresting Officer in DMV revocation reviews for DUI-related charges (under Chapter 17C-5-2 or applicable municipal ordinances). Because officers generally appear at these administrative hearings without legal representation, they are responsible for ensuring the state's case is properly and fully presented.
Training covers evidentiary standards, statutory requirements for upholding revocations, hearing formats, testimony presentation, cross-examination, and techniques to minimize the impact of defense counsel. The course features a mock trial to build comfort with the proceedings and addresses common misconceptions surrounding administrative hearings.
In-Service Credit Information:
All Highway Safety training is certified for 8-hour law enforcement training credit (non-supervisory in-service).
