Timothy Whitehurst

The Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile/High Visibility Engagement (HVE) Project Manager serves as the strategic leader for the BAT Mobile and HVE initiatives within the Forensic Tests for Alcohol (FTA) Branch, part of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Division of Public Health. This position plays a critical role in reducing impaired driving incidents across North Carolina through the effective coordination of the BAT Mobile Units and High Visibility Engagement (HVE) efforts. Reporting directly to the FTA Branch Head, the Project Manager oversees program administration, policy development, interagency coordination, and resource management to ensure the successful implementation of impaired driving prevention strategies statewide.

The Project Manager supervises 6 full-time and 4 part-time staff members and is responsible for managing the deployment and operational readiness of the BAT Mobile Units at statewide DWI checking stations and other enforcement activities. This includes coordinating training logistics, scheduling classes, assigning instructors, and ensuring that all program content aligns with current laws and best practices. The role also involves extensive collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies to foster partnerships that support impaired driving enforcement efforts. In addition to enforcement and outreach responsibilities, the Project Manager conducts audits and inspections to ensure program compliance, addresses non-compliance issues, and manages supplies and equipment, including preventive maintenance of the BAT Mobile Units. Administrative duties include maintaining training records, equipment logs, and preparing reports for FTA Branch Management and external partners. This position oversees the application, implementation, and reporting of transportation safety-related grants, managing grant budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with state and federal regulations.

I have cultivated a diverse skill set in traffic safety, inventory management, and community outreach. In my role assisting the Major of Services, I managed the inventory of critical assets, including radios, vehicles, and other essential equipment, ensuring accuracy and availability for operational needs. This required a methodical approach to asset tracking and resource allocation, enabling the seamless functioning of law enforcement activities. Additionally, I worked closely with the Community Watch Division, where I contributed to community engagement initiatives such as traffic safety talks and impaired driving simulations. These presentations targeted both adults and teenagers, aiming to foster greater awareness of traffic safety and the dangers of impaired driving.

A key aspect of my experience has been serving as the Law Enforcement Liaison for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP). In this capacity, I acted as a vital connector between various agencies and organizations across Region 5 and throughout North Carolina. This role involved facilitating collaboration and information sharing, particularly regarding statewide impaired driving initiatives and traffic safety regulations. I developed strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders to advance enforcement efforts and promote public safety. As a project coordinator for GHSP grants, I ensured strict compliance with state and federal financial regulations and policies, successfully managing funding to support critical safety initiatives. This experience underscores my ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and drive impactful programs.

My professional background reflects deep expertise in impaired driving countermeasures and testing. I have experience with Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Units, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing, and Alcohol Screening Test Devices. These technical skills complement my knowledge of statewide impaired driving initiatives and traffic safety regulations, equipping me to address impaired driving issues effectively. My demonstrated ability to act as a liaison between various agencies and organizations has strengthened partnerships and enhanced collaboration to support traffic safety and public health initiatives.

Moreover, I bring proficiency in completing reports and entering data in online databases, supported by strong skills in Microsoft Office Outlook. These administrative capabilities, combined with my field expertise, have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to both the operational and strategic aspects of law enforcement. This integration of technical knowledge, regulatory compliance, and community outreach exemplifies my commitment to advancing traffic safety and improving public health outcomes.

I support the Forensic Tests for Alcohol (FTA) Branch staff by addressing operational and logistical challenges related to mobile Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) units. This includes assisting with maintenance issues, reviewing plans for new BATs, and collaborating with vendors to ensure the development and deployment of these resources align with agency standards and goals. My work requires a detailed understanding of the technical aspects of mobile BATs, including their operation, setup, and maintenance during educational events, checkpoints, and saturation patrols. These efforts ensure that the BAT units remain reliable tools in promoting traffic safety and enforcing impaired driving laws.

Central to my responsibilities is working closely with various agencies and organizations to advance traffic safety and public health. I have leveraged the mobile BATs as educational tools, addressing impaired driving issues and enforcement through direct public engagement. At events such as back-to-school fairs, festivals, parades, and the North Carolina State Fair, I have used the BAT units to educate communities on the dangers of impaired driving and the importance of enforcement efforts. This hands-on approach fosters community awareness and strengthens the public's understanding of how law enforcement combats impaired driving.

My experience reflects a strong commitment to addressing impaired driving through both enforcement and education. I bring demonstrated expertise in impaired driving countermeasures, including the operation of BAT units, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing, and Alcohol Screening Test Devices. I have worked closely with various agencies and organizations to promote traffic safety and public health, addressing impaired driving issues through proactive engagement and education. My ability to balance technical proficiency with public outreach ensures that I effectively contribute to reducing impaired driving and improving road safety across North Carolina.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety, traffic enforcement, and community outreach. As a supervisor of the Patrol and Civil Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office, I managed daily operations and ensured that both divisions operated efficiently and effectively. A critical aspect of my responsibilities included maintaining an inventory of speed measuring instruments and radio equipment, which required meticulous attention to detail. I utilized Microsoft Outlook and an online database to track and manage these resources, ensuring accuracy and compliance with agency policies.

In addition to my supervisory role, I served as the Law Enforcement Liaison for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP). This position required me to act as a vital connection between various agencies and organizations across Region 5 and the entire state. I facilitated collaboration by sharing knowledge of statewide impaired driving initiatives and traffic safety regulations, helping to strengthen partnerships and promote public health. My work as a project coordinator for GHSP grants further emphasized the importance of compliance, as I successfully managed funding and ensured adherence to state and federal financial regulations and policies.

Education and community outreach have been integral to my career. I made impactful traffic safety presentations to teens and adults, using innovative tools such as an impaired driving simulator, impairment goggles, and a golf cart to demonstrate the real-world consequences of impaired driving. These presentations allowed me to engage with the community directly, fostering awareness and promoting safer behaviors. Additionally, my certification as a Speed Measuring Instrument Instructor enabled me to provide specialized training to law enforcement officers, further supporting statewide efforts to improve traffic safety.

My experience has equipped me with the skills necessary to address impaired driving issues and enforce related laws effectively. I have extensive experience with impaired driving countermeasures and testing, including the use of Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Units, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Drug Recognition Experts (DREs), Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing, and Alcohol Screening Test Devices. I have consistently worked closely with agencies and organizations to promote traffic safety and public health, acting as a liaison to bridge efforts and enhance collaboration. My ability to manage grants, comply with regulations, and utilize technology to track and report data underscores my dedication to accountability and efficiency.

This combination of technical expertise, leadership, and community engagement has been the foundation of my work, driving my passion for improving public safety and advancing traffic enforcement initiatives.

In my law enforcement career, I have gained extensive experience in traffic safety, impaired driving enforcement, and leadership. As a Detective Sergeant, I supervised a team of three detectives responsible for general investigative duties. As a Patrol Sergeant, I led a patrol squad, and in my role as Traffic Sergeant, I managed two traffic officers in a Traffic Unit dedicated to responding to traffic incidents, crash investigations, and detecting and arresting impaired drivers. My expertise includes utilizing skills acquired through Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) instruction and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) certification to address impaired driving effectively.

I have coordinated and assisted with DWI checkpoints, often involving the use of Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile Units provided by the Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch. I also led the Wake County Traffic Safety Task Force, where I coordinated multi-agency operations as the County Coordinator and Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) for the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP). Additionally, I managed transportation safety-related grants, ensuring full compliance with state and federal financial regulations and policies. These roles allowed me to collaborate closely with various agencies and organizations to promote traffic safety and public health.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated expertise in impaired driving countermeasures, including BAT Mobiles, SFST, DRE training, Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing, and Alcohol Screening Test Devices. I have a solid understanding of statewide impaired driving initiatives and traffic safety regulations. My proficiency in Microsoft Office Outlook and my experience in completing reports and entering data in online databases have supported my work. Acting as a liaison between agencies and organizations, I have worked to address impaired driving issues and advance enforcement efforts to ensure safer communities.

In Zebulon, I continued my commitment to making our roadways safer through traffic law enforcement. While my duties included response to 911 calls and general patrol duties, I found myself continuing to expand on my desire to detect and remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Traffic enforcement was a priority for me. I began to work closer with the Governor's Highway Safety Program and attend kick off events. I began to network with other officers throughout the County and State. I became our agency coordinator, reporting our activities during campaigns to GHSP. My proficiency in Microsoft Office Outlook began to grow and my experience in completing reports and entering data in online databases supported my work.

I began my law enforcement career with RDU. AS a young officer, I made my first DWI arrest while in field training and began to find that traffic safety would be my calling in my career. My duties included traffic enforcement along with enforcing criminal law and security protocols for the Airport. However, it was traffic enforcement that sparked my interest the most and helped me develop my dedication to making our roadways safer through high visibility enforcement and education. By doing this, I began to develop a solid understanding of statewide impaired driving initiatives and traffic safety regulations.