Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program for King County Sheriffs Office

The King County Sheriff’s Office has launched a groundbreaking Law Enforcement Phlebotomy Program (LEPP) in collaboration with Shoreline Community College, training 14 law enforcement officers as certified phlebotomists. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of blood draws in impaired driving incidents, allowing officers to remain on duty and complete necessary paperwork while specialized personnel handle the blood draw process. Captain Jonathan Youngblood, who oversees the program, highlighted that this could alleviate significant delays, with blood draws expected to take only about 20 minutes. The program will be implemented at six main precincts, including Sammamish, SeaTac, Shoreline, Southeast, Southwest, and Woodinville, where dedicated phlebotomy stations will be established. Blood draws will only occur at approved locations with fully cooperative suspects, ensuring that ongoing medical care is not disrupted.

In cases of uncooperative suspects, the current protocol will remain in effect, directing them to hospitals for blood draws. With the support of grant funding from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, the Sheriff’s Office is optimistic about expanding this innovative program to include 25 phlebotomists in the future. Certification for the program is anticipated to be issued by the state within a month, marking a significant step forward in law enforcement practices.