Field_Training_Officer_Program

Policy 416CSU Police Department Draft Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 1Field Training Officer Program 416.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Field Training Officer Program is intended to provide a standardized program to facilitate the officer’s transition from the academic setting to the actual performance of general law enforcement duties of the CSU Police Department. It is the policy of this department to assign all new police officers to a structured Field Training Officer Program that is designed to prepare the new officer to perform in a patrol assignment, and possessing all skills needed to operate in a safe, productive, and professional manner. 416.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER - SELECTION AND TRAINING The Field Training Officer (FTO) is an experienced officer trained in the art of supervising, training, and evaluating entry level and lateral police officers in the application of their previously acquired knowledge and skills. 416.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements: (a)Desire to be an FTO (b)Minimum of two years of patrol experience, one of which shall be with this department (c)Demonstrated ability as a positive role model (d)Participate and pass an internal oral interview selection process (e)Evaluation by supervisors (f)Possess a POST Basic certificate 416.2.2 TRAINING An officer selected as a Field Training Officer shall successfully complete a POST certified (40- hour) Field Training Officer’s Course prior to being assigned as an FTO. All FTOs must complete a 24-hour Field Training Officer update course every three years while assigned to the position of FTO (11 CCR 1004). All FTOs must meet any training mandate regarding crisis intervention behavioral health training pursuant to Penal Code § 13515.28. 416.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPERVISOR The FTO Program supervisor should be selected from the rank of sergeant or above by the Chief of Police or a designee and should possess, or be eligible to receive, a POST Supervisory Certificate. The responsibilities of the FTO Program supervisor include the following: (a)Assignment of trainees to FTOs CSU Police Department Draft Policy Manual Field Training Officer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 2(b)Conduct FTO meetings (c)Maintain and ensure FTO/trainee performance evaluations are completed (d)Maintain, update, and issue the Field Training Manual to each trainee (e)Monitor individual FTO performance (f)Monitor overall FTO Program (g)Maintain liaison with FTO coordinators of other agencies (h)Maintain liaison with academy staff on recruit performance during the academy (i)Develop ongoing training for FTOs The FTO Program supervisor will be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training Administrator's Course within one year of appointment to this position (11 CCR 1004(c)). 416.4 TRAINEE DEFINED Any entry level or lateral police officer newly appointed to the CSU Police Department who has successfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy. 416.5 REQUIRED TRAINING Entry level officers shall be required to successfully complete the Field Training Program, consisting of a minimum of 10 weeks (11 CCR 1004; 11 CCR 1005). The training period for a lateral officer may be modified depending on the trainee’s demonstrated performance and level of experience. A lateral officer may be exempt from the Field Training Program requirement if the officer qualifies for an exemption as provided in 11 CCR 1005(a)(B). To the extent practicable, entry level and lateral officers should be assigned to a variety of Field Training Officers, shifts, and geographical areas during their Field Training Program. 416.5.1 FIELD TRAINING MANUAL Each new officer will be given electronic access or issued a Field Training Manual at the beginning of their Primary Training Phase. This manual is an outline of the subject matter and/or skills necessary to properly function as an officer with the CSU Police Department. The officer shall become knowledgeable of the subject matter as outlined. They shall also become proficient with those skills as set forth in the manual. The Field Training Manual will specifically cover those policies, procedures, rules, and regulations adopted by the CSU Police Department. 416.6 EVALUATIONS Evaluations are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as outlined below. 416.6.1 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER The FTO will be responsible for the following: CSU Police Department Draft Policy Manual Field Training Officer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/28, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 3(a)Complete and submit a written evaluation on the performance of their assigned trainee to the FTO Coordinator on a daily basis. (b)Review the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations with the trainee each day. (c)Complete a detailed end-of-phase performance evaluation on their assigned trainee at the end of each phase of training. (d)Sign off all completed topics contained in the Field Training Manual, noting the method(s) of learning and evaluating the performance of their assigned trainee. 416.6.2 IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR The immediate supervisor shall review and approve the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations and forward them to the Field