FIELD TRAINING AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

This 15 week FTE Program has been divided into what are known as phases, hence the term "Phase Training".  Each phase is programmed the necessary length of time, collated to a particular set of tasks, which must be learned by each new Officer.   The tasks are ordered so that the trainee is exposed to the most basic and necessary tasks first.  These tasks form the foundation that the trainee will build upon for the rest of the Program and into their later years of service.  As the trainee progresses through the program, he or she will encounter increasingly more difficult tasks.  Eventually, the trainee must perform or be exposed to the majority of tasks necessary to assume the complex role of a Police Officer.

Phase Training is fundamental to the FTE Program.  Each phase is designed to provide the following:

• A systematic approach to field training
• Consistent and standardized training
• The means of ensuring the trainee's capability in performing the skills or tasks necessary for the competent operation of a one-officer patrol car
• An introduction to all areas of the city as well as an opportunity to work all three patrol shifts
• The opportunity to train with various FTOs, thereby receiving diverse techniques while operating within standardized guidelines
• Learn to perform under different and changing circumstances
• Evaluate the trainee on his/her performance so they will have an idea where they are and what areas need to be improved

Phase Rotation
The 15 week FTE Program has been divided into two phases.  The first phase is 5 weeks long.   The next two phases are each four weeks in duration and the final phase is two weeks long. During the final phase, the trainee will be assigned to the original FTO from Phase I.

Phase I is the introductory phase.  During this time, the trainee will be taught certain basic skills, including officer safety and liability issues.  During this introductory phase, the FTO is labeled the Primary FTO.  An important element of this phase is to mold the trainee's attitude toward accepting the training as an opportunity to learn from experienced officers and not just see it as "something else they have to get through".  The FTO's image is particularly important here.  A great deal of the trainee's success may hinge on how well he/she accepts the training and/or his/her FTO.  In this phase, the trainee will start to perform tasks along with the FTO.

Phase II is somewhat more complex than the first phase and is sometimes identified as the phase in which trainees shed their unfamiliarity with their new role and begin to apply themselves to the mastering of the skills at hand.  The FTO must acknowledge the trainee's growing assertiveness and remain constantly aware of the workload, guarding against under or overloading.  The trainee will begin to handle some tasks on his/her own while being supervised by the FTO.

Phase III is the last phase of formal training.  It is characterized by advanced training and the polishing of those skills obtained earlier.  This is also the opportunity for the FTO to review those tasks signed off in all phases and prepare the trainee for phase IV.  At this stage in training, the trainee must be performing all but the most complex tasks with only the minimum of input from the FTO.

Phase IV is the test phase.  It is an evaluation-only phase.  The task list should have been completed prior to entering this phase.  To ensure that the trainee acts as a primary officer, his or her FTO will not take any action except in instances where their "stepping in" is necessary to avoid liability or danger.  An important characteristic of this phase is that the trainee will return to his/her original Primary FTO for evaluation.  This is done so that the FTO who originally observed the trainee will now be able to see the final product and compare performance levels.  This phase last four weeks.  Upon completion of this final phase, the trainee will be assigned to the Patrol Division as a solo Officer, provided that he/she has satisfactorily completed the task list requirements and is recommended for retention by the FTE Program Staff.

Limbo Week/Days
The first week of Phase I and the first two days of Phase II and Phase III are called Limbo days.  This means that, while the trainee may learn new skills on tasks, he/she will not be evaluated.  This is done to assist in making a smooth transition from the Basic Police Academy to the FTE Program, as well as from one FTO to another.  There is no limbo period during Phase IV:  The trainee knows the FTO and should be familiar with style.  Limbo is an acceptable means of getting acquainted, but should not be interpreted to mean that training/learning does not occur.  Instruction continues as always and the trainee task list is continually updated in the Recruit Officer's manual.   The trainee will also be required to perform tasks during limbo.

Officer Deployment
While in Phase Training, the trainee and his/her FTO will normally be considered a "One Officer" unit.  During Phase Training, the FTO must not only consider his/her own safety, but that of the trainee as well.  Circumstances may develop during Phase III and/or Phase IV for the FTO unit to operate as a "Two Officer" team.  Operating as a "Two Officer" unit, however, will be determined by the FTO and approved by his/her FTO supervisor.

While working under the "One Officer" unit condition, the trainee shall not be separated from his/her FTO.  Safety and liability issues require this.  While under some conditions it may be tempting to use the "Extra Officer", the negatives outweigh the momentary, short-term benefits.

Shift and City Exposure
During the training period, the trainee will rotate through each Patrol shift.   In this manner, the trainee will be exposed to the varied working conditions that each officer must face in his/her career.  Failure to assign a trainee to all shifts may lead to problems manifesting themselves at a time when little can be done to correct them.  It is absolutely necessary to know if a new Officer can physically and mentally adjust to working various hours under differing activity levels.

The same holds true for exposure to the entire City of Stillwater.  Each new Officer is responsible for learning city geography.  Trainees must demonstrate an ability to perform satisfactorily in each area of the city, and be able to find those locations which might be unfamiliar to them.  They should also demonstrate the ability to understand the policing problems of various geographical areas and the particular cultural and ethnical needs contained therein.

Ignoring shift and/or city exposure results in a lack of standardized training.   Standardized training and exposure is a basic tenet of the program.  The FTO is responsible for ensuring varied assignments throughout the district.  FTO Sergeants and the FTO Commander will assist in making assignments possible throughout the City.

Hold-Over Policy
As mentioned above, the Program duration is 15 weeks.  It should be understood, however, that problems occur making it difficult to always adhere to the set time limit.  Sometimes these problems are personal problems of the trainee, failure of the trainee to perform required tasks, or other times they are of an administrative nature.  For whatever reason they occur, if the trainee is to be given a fair opportunity to prove him/herself, then measures must be taken to facilitate this effort.

Trainees may be extended to allow them sufficient time to master complex tasks necessary to complete the program.  This is not a guarantee that every trainee has the right to an extension.  The decision to extend will be that of the Program Commander.  This decision will be based on all information available and recommendations of the FTO Staff.  The extension is not to be viewed as "punishment", but rather as an opportunity to "catch up" and to solve on-going problems.

The extension may be handled in several ways, but will be tailored to fit the training needs of the trainee.  Typically, the trainee will continue to work with the same FTO, or may be assigned to a different FTO on any of the available shifts.  It is the FTO's responsibility to see that this is a positive period, and to help the trainee through it.  Extensions occur frequently and are not granted by program staff unless the probability of success is anticipated.

Summary
The FTE Program is a highly structured program designed to fulfill a training need in Law Enforcement.  It is administered through the Patrol Division to maintain content validity and to decrease the possibility for staff versus line conflict.   Complete records are kept in the Patrol Division and/or Police Personnel office for the remainder of the Officer's career and after.  These files are confidential in nature and available only to FTO personnel, or those who have an organizational "need to know".  Training is completed in phases allowing the trainee exposure to not only varied skills of the Police Officer, but to the various shifts and geographical areas of the City.  Generally, officers will complete a 15 week program, but may be extended for personal, administrative reasons, or for failure to perform tasks.

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