What is a common oversight officers should avoid during SFST?

Concluding tests too quickly is a common oversight officers should avoid during Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST). Properly administering the SFST is crucial for accurate assessment of a suspect's level of impairment. Rushing through the tests can lead to incomplete observations and an inability to gather sufficient evidence to support a conclusion about sobriety. Each test has specific steps that officers must follow to ensure reliability and validity; hastening this process could lead to overlooking key indicators of impairment such as swaying, inability to follow instructions, or missed cues.

Furthermore, this oversight can undermine the overall integrity of the results, making it challenging to justify the officer's findings in court. The SFSTs are designed to be carefully administered, allowing for clear observation and documentation of the suspect's performance; therefore, taking the appropriate amount of time is critical for both the officer's assessment and legal follow-through.

While other options present valid concerns, they do not directly relate to the timing aspect that is fundamental in conducting these tests effectively. Overconfidence might cloud judgment, neglecting documentation can hinder evidence collection, and performing tests without supervision could lead to procedural mistakes. However, the specific issue of concluding tests too quickly targets a direct component of test execution that can significantly impact