– Assistance with policy and procedure development and resources for agencies who would like to develop a law enforcement phlebotomy program within this project, and
– Training for  24 qualified officers to become law enforcement phlebotomists through training in Mexico, Missouri at the Moberly Area Community College (MACC) chosen from applicants throughout Missouri.

This is a grant-funded project and not all officers who apply will be accepted.  Due to the nature of this project, officers must have support from the head of their agency, county prosecutors, elected officials, and other necessary stakeholders.

The Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program (LEPP) Task Force, made up of individuals from law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys’ offices, MACC, and highway safety professionals, will make the selections for the project. We will make every attempt to choose agencies from different regions throughout the state, depending on where the most support is committed from the supporting organizations as described. Some agencies may have more than one officer accepted based on commitment, size, support, and other factors.

It is hoped that this project will grow in the future but there is no guarantee of funding.  If the program does grow, it is anticipated that it will be set up similar to the DRE program, with centralized statewide oversight of initial training, re-training, and continued qualification as a Law Enforcement Phlebotomist (LEP). The program currently has thirty (30) law enforcement officers who were trained and qualified through the project in 2023 and 2024.

Training will take place in 2025 in two separate classes.  Applicants will have to participate in six weeks of online training assignments; travel to Mexico, Missouri for approximately 3-4 days for the onsite training; and the clinical portion of the training session will be scheduled with the MACC staff.  The clinical assignments may be closer to home and may take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete depending on scheduling with the clinical site (i.e., VA hospital, local hospital, other lab or clinic).  Each LEP will be required to complete 100 successful blood draws prior to official completion of the program as determined by approved clinical staff.

Grant funds will cover all travel expenses including lodging, per diem, and travel.  Background checks and drug tests are required and will be covered through the grant funding.  Vaccinations may be required for clinical sites, but these are NOT covered through grant fees and are the responsibility of the individual or the participating agency. Salaries are the responsibility of the participating agency.

More information will be available on the application and to the applicants and agencies upon acceptance into the Program.