Pennsylvania Police Dept Seeks Drunk Volunteers for Sobriety Training Program

Phoenixville, Pa. — In a move that sounds like the setup to a late‑night comedy sketch, the Phoenixville Police Department is openly seeking drunk volunteers to help train officers — and yes, the request is real.

The department announced that it will host a three‑day “wet lab” from May 5 through May 7, running daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The concept is simple, if unconventional: civilians drink alcohol provided by the department while officers, who remain sober, practice administering field sobriety tests in a controlled environment. The goal is to give officers hands‑on experience with real intoxication levels rather than relying solely on classroom instruction or staged demonstrations.

These wet labs aren’t new in law‑enforcement circles, but many Phoenixville residents are hearing about them for the first time — and the initial reaction online was disbelief. Social media users joked that the announcement looked like an April Fool’s prank delivered a month late. Others assumed it was satire, noting that “police seeking drunk volunteers” reads like a headline designed to go viral. But the department confirmed the program is legitimate, and no punchline ever arrived.

Participants will be required to undergo testing before drinking to ensure they haven’t already consumed alcohol. From there, officers monitor volunteers as they reach specific intoxication thresholds. The department hasn’t specified what types of alcohol will be served — beer, wine, or something stronger — leaving some details unclear. Still, officials emphasize that the environment is tightly controlled, with structured monitoring and clear safety protocols.

The department will provide both alcohol and snacks, but volunteers must arrange their own transportation home. A designated driver is mandatory.

Residents interested in participating can contact Officer Matthew Fusco at Mfusco@phoenixville.org and complete an enrollment form. Space is limited, and the department expects a strong response — after all, it’s not every day the police ask the public to show up drunk for educational purposes.