Photo by: Bruce Knaphus

(PHOENIX, Ariz., June 1, 2004) – More than 335 police officers throughout Arizona have taken advantage of the Phoenix College Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program, giving them the basic phlebotomy skills needed to perform DUI blood draws.

From the City of Phoenix Police Department to Highway Patrol Officers in Utah, Phoenix College is providing officers with up-to-date DUI enforcement methods, which will ultimately keep communities and highways safe across the state and surrounding areas.

The Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program has been in existence since 2000 and was designed to accommodate the time demands of the officer. Participants attend a one-week intensive course on basic venipuncture where they spend 20 hours in a lecture and lab setting and then receive an additional 20 hours of clinical experience. Before completing the course, officers must perform 100 successful venipunctures and meet all other competencies.

Cathee Tankersley, Director of the Phoenix College Phlebotomy Program and co-author of Phlebotomy Essentials, 3rd Edition, reveals the popularity and importance of this program.

“Under state law, if someone refuses a breath test then his or her license can be suspended and no test is administered,” said Tankersley. “However, with a blood draw now readily available, a judge can override the individual’s refusal with a search warrant. Typically, a warrant can be served within minutes after the driver is arrested because most patrol stations and judges in Maricopa and other counties have a fax machine making this procedure even more convenient.”

According to Tankersley, the blood test is very reliable and holds up with less argument in court.

“No one is immune to blood evidence,” she added. “The proof is right there!”

Since the program began in 2000, Phoenix College has worked with 37 different agency offices and has seen representation from more than 52 communities including Utah.

The program has granted certificates to Highway Patrol Officers and Sheriff Deputies, from Anthem, Chandler, Claypool, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Glendale, Joseph City, Kingman, Maryvale, Mesa, Nogales, Page, Parker, Payson, Peoria, Phoenix, Quartzsite, Rio Rico, Safford Salome, Sierra Vista, Surprise, Thatcher, Tucson, Willcox and Yuma. Additionally, they have awarded certificates to Police Officers from Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, Coolidge, Douglas, Eagar, El Mirage, Florence, Gilbert, Globe, Goodyear, Holbrook, Kearny, Oro Valley, Page, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Springerville, Superior, Surprise, Thatcher, Tohono O’odham, Williams and Winslow.

The total cost for the Law Enforcement Program is $210, which includes tuition for Basic Venipuncture (HCE 109) and Basic Venipuncture Clinicals (HCE 110), the textbook and lab coat or scrubs. Upcoming Law Enforcement courses will be offered:

August 16-20, 2004
September 13-17, 2004
October 18-22, 2004

For more information on the Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program or to register for an upcoming course, please call (602) 285-7117.

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