What Is a Police Field Training Officer?
A police field training officer (FTO) is a senior member of a department who rides along with a police academy graduate during a probationary period and evaluates his or her performance within the community. This optional position gives a veteran officer the opportunity to share years of work expertise while making sure that the rookie officer is following departmental procedures, such as making the right decision during a critical situation to ensure public and officer safety. In some departments, the FTO is also know as a police training officer (PTO).
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Requirements
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This promotion position is open to any senior officer who is qualified and interested in this aspect of police work. The applicant must have at least two to three years of street patrol experience, depending on the department's needs. A commendable performance record is also required. Superior officers, such as a shift sergeant or precinct lieutenant, may suggest that a senior officer with a positive work ethic try out for this position. Either way, the candidate has to submit an application or letter of request. In some departments, a letter of recommendation from a superior officer is mandatory.
Education
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An eligible officer must be enrolled in a classroom course, according to each department's state requirements. The Peace Officer Standards and Training program (P.O.S.T.) is available in California and a few other states. All courses cover the ins and outs of overseeing a rookie's actions on the streets and knowing when and how to intervene. After the completion of this course, the senior officer has to take a written test and pass it for supervisory certification.
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Focus
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A field training officer makes sure that a rookie applies academy studies to the job by allowing him to handle actual street situations, such as dealing with an occupied suspicious vehicle or responding to a domestic disturbance with a weapon. Usually, the training officer stands aside and watches how various problems are solved, assisting only if a physical altercation breaks out. These observations lead to the training officer's decision regarding whether the rookie is ready to be released in a few months for independent duty.
Duties
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This job entails giving constant and honest evaluations of a rookie's performance on the streets, as well as making sure that the proper paperwork, such as incident reports and arrest forms, is completed. It's also important for the FTO to point out ways for the rookie to improve acquired skills while conforming to community expectations, such as obtaining the appropriate care for victims or taking the right steps in trying to locate a missing person. The training officer must also make sure that the rookie adheres to department policies and procedures, including the legal processes of transporting and booking a prisoner.
Benefits
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The FTO position includes an increase in pay and another level of seniority in the police ranks. Also, a field training officer's dedication provides the satisfaction of knowing that a well-trained rookie has what it takes to be of reliable service to the community and to work as dependable backup help for colleagues during dangerous situations.
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References
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