What should officers do immediately after performing an SFST?

Following the performance of a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST), it is critical for officers to document their observations and results clearly. Accurate and thorough documentation serves several important purposes:

1. Legal Record: The documentation provides a legal record of the test conducted and the results observed. This can be essential in court to support charges related to impaired driving.

2. Consistency and Reliability: Clear documentation allows for consistency in reports and aids in establishing the reliability of the test findings. When an officer writes down their specific observations (such as signs of impairment, performance on the tests, and the environment where the tests were conducted), it solidifies the evidence.

3. Reference for Future Actions: In the event that subsequent actions are required, such as arrest or further testing, having well-documented results allows for informed decision-making based on the situation assessed during the SFST.

The other options involve actions that do not align with the priorities following an SFST. Leaving the scene may compromise the investigation, contacting a mediator is irrelevant in the context of impaired driving, and performing another type of sobriety test could lead to unnecessary complications if the SFST has already indicated impairment. Proper documentation ensures a solid foundation for any legal proceedings