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Officer Training Re-Instated Following Arrest, Settlement

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10, 2009

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Law enforcement officers in Indiana may receive annual training to identify the difference between a drunk driver and a medical emergency.

A federal court awarded over $400,000 dollars to Indianapolis resident Michael Overton for his September 2005 arrest. Overton is diabetic and was having an episode of low blood sugar behind the wheel when he was arrested for drunk driving.

The city just recently settled with Overton in that court ordered award, and attorney Richarf Waples says the most important aspect of the settlement is the provision of training for officers to avoid a repeat scenario.

Waples says one in 20 people pulled over for drunk driving are not intoxicated, but rather are having some sort medical reaction that requires attention.

Waples says law enforcement officials did have similar continued training, but had stopped the program.

Waples says his client was insistent upon having the training re-instated.

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