HGN

Government & Politics abbreviation · Police

HGN
Stands forHorizontal gaze nystagmus
CategoriesGovernment & Politics

HGN stands for Horizontal gaze nystagmus, a police abbreviation.

Involuntary jerking of the eyes as they move to the side, which becomes more pronounced with alcohol and some drugs. The HGN test, in which an officer moves a pen or light across the driver's field of vision, is the first of the standardized field sobriety tests.

Example: During the HGN test, the officer saw distinct nystagmus before 45 degrees in both eyes.

Usage notes

Officers look for six clues, three in each eye. Courts in some states limit how HGN results can be presented at trial. Certain medical conditions and head injuries can also cause nystagmus.

More police abbreviations

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  • FTO – Field training officer
  • GBH – Grievous bodily harm
  • GOA – Gone on arrival
  • GSR – Gunshot residue
  • GTA – Grand theft auto
  • IA – Internal affairs
  • IID – Ignition interlock device
  • K-9 – Canine
  • LAPD – Los Angeles Police Department
  • LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
  • LEO – Law enforcement officer

See all 84 police abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.