April 5, 2023 |
Photo – TIPS Course Poster – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department
In Rawlins, the police department will host the first alcohol server training class of the year this Friday. To legally sell alcohol in Rawlins, bartenders and other servers must obtain a TIPS certification. TIPS, or Training for Intervention Procedures, was founded in 1979 and provides classes in all 50 states to servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol. Rawlins Code Enforcement Officer Brian Markut explained how the TIPS course helps participants avoid overserving people.
Markut said TIPS training assists servers in identifying and resolving problems related to alcohol consumption. He said the program offers advice on how to safely deal with intoxicated customers.
Markut said servers need to be aware of their customers. Signs of drunkenness include a change in mood, slurred speech, and diminished inhibitions. Markut said The TIPS training will give servers the tools to identify the signs of intoxication.
Markut said food is the best way to prevent someone from going over their limit. If a customer becomes angry after being cut off, Markut suggests the server have their supervisor become involved in the situation. If that fails to resolve the issue, he suggests calling the police.
Another aspect of the TIPS training is how to prevent underage drinking. Markut said the class offers information about fake ID’s and how to spot them. He gives an example of a technique taught during the course.
TIPS training isn’t mandatory across the state, but is required in certain counties and towns, like Rawlins. The certificate can be obtained online. However, Markut said the city requires an in-person training session within three months of being hired. The server must also work with someone already TIPS certified during that time. He explained how the in-person class gives participants a chance to see how the techniques would work in a realistic scenario.
Markut said he also shows slides and videos of drunk driving accidents to emphasize how important it is to intervene when someone appears to be over the limit.
The Rawlins Police Department typically holds TIPS training four times a year. Markut said heavy snow canceled classes scheduled for January and February. Friday’s session will be the first of the year. The classes are held at the Rawlins Fire Department No2, located at 219 East Center Street. Markut said the training usually takes between four and five hours.
The TIPS training class starts at 9:00 am on Friday, April 7th. Other training sessions will be held on July 10th and November 13th. Contact Katrina James at the Rawlins Police Department at 307-324-4503 or 307-328-4530 to register for the class.
