Field Training Officer Program

A Field Training Program Coordinator, assigned by the Chief of Police or his/her designee, administers the field training program on a day-to-day basis.

The program consists of a sixteen (16) week training and evaluation period for newly hired police officers, broken down into 4 phases, administered by three different Field Training Officers (FTO).

Recruits are evaluated on the basis of increasingly demanding performance criteria from the 1st week through the 14th week. The responsibility for documenting the recruit’s progress rests with the FTO, who completes daily observation reports for each shift the recruit works. The last phase, Weeks 15 and 16, is an “evaluation only” phase, with the FTO observing and evaluating, but not training the recruit.

Recruits are not to be assigned duties to work alone, nor will they be assigned to an officer who is not trained as a FTO.

The FTO has two roles to fulfill: that of a police officer with full patrol responsibility, and that of a trainer/evaluator of recruit personnel. He/she explains and complies with departmental goals and objectives while maintaining and fostering a positive relationship with the recruit.

The FTO establishes a business-like, yet friendly, relationship with the recruit. He/she will set a high, yet realistic, standard for the recruit through job performance, and provide ongoing instruction in the traditional sense, utilizing innovative and practical techniques.

Newly hired officers who have been certified, active police officers within the 12 months prior to their hire at the South Windsor Police Department may be allowed to participate in a modified Field Training Program. The modified program and the duration of such modified program will be proposed by the Field Training Program Coordinator, reviewed by the Operations Commander and forwarded to the Chief of Police for approval. The Chief of Police may approve or deny the request for such modification.

At the conclusion of a successful field training program, the recruit officer will have thoroughly demonstrated the required skill and knowledge to operate as a patrol officer. It is at this point that the FTO shall make a recommendation to the Field Training Program Coordinator that the recruit officer be allowed to serve in the capacity of a probationary police officer, assuming the full duties and responsibilities that are required of this law enforcement position.

 

 

NameTitleResponsibility

Sergeant

Coordinator

Feed