Policy Text
04.02 .0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish departmental guidelines for the implementation
and administration of training programs upon initial employment.
04.02 .1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to develop and implement a
standardized field training program designed to enhance the formal instruction received
by newly appointed police officers and facilitate their transition from the classro om to the
field. The purpose of the field training program is to provide guidance, instruction, and
supervised field experience to probationary officers in patrol operations and departmental
procedures. Another purpose is to develop sound working habits and efficiency in their
performance of duty.
04.02 .2 DEFINITIONS
A. DAILY OBSERVATION REPORT (DOR)
A report completed daily by a field training officer that evaluates the performance of
a police officer t rainee. This report should be completed at the end of each tour of
duty and should include the police officer t rainee’s performance progression,
performance needs, and any remedial training.
B. FIELD TRAINING OFFICER (FTO)
A police officer who ha s successfully completed a department authorized course of
instruction for field training officers, and who has been specifically authorized by the
department to provide field training to police officer trainees .
C. FIELD TRAINING OFFICER MODULE
The department’s approved electronic training platform used to evaluate and
document a police officer trainee’s performance during their field training.
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM
GENERAL ORDER: 04.02 CREATED: October 14, 2014 ISSUE DATE: April 10, 2024
CALEA STANDARD: 33.4.3 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 17, 2024
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1 , 2022.
General Order 04.02 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM Page 2 of 6
D. FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
The field training program administrator shall be the Patrol Bureau commander .
This person is responsible for: maintaining a roster of approved FTOs, coordinating
with the training sergeant and selecting training related to the FTO, and other duties
related to the FTO program as directed by the chief of police. The field training
program administrator shall be responsible for the overall direction, monitoring and
coordination of the field trainin g program .
E. TRAINEE
A police officer who is ass igned for training purposes to a field training officer.
F. ASSISTANT FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR (S)
The assistant field training program administrator s shall be the district commanders .
They are responsible for acting as a liaison between FTOs and administration on
issues affecting the field training program, and review ing of all documentation
relating to the training of police officer trainees to ensure that competent and
effective field training is being provided in accordance wit h departmental directives.
04.02 .3 PROCEDURES
A. SELECTION OF FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS
1. The selection of qualified FTOs is essential to the success of a field training
program. The values, tactics, and attitudes of the FT O can be transmitted to the
inexperienced officer. In order to be considered for selection as an FTO, an officer
must meet the following general criteria:
a. Must voluntarily submit a letter of interest through their chain of command
to the field training progra m administrator detailing their qualifications and
reasons for wanting to train.
b. Have the written recommendation of their sergeant and captain.
c. Have a minimum of two years of service as a police officer with the Concord
Police Department; or, a minimum of one year with the Concord Police
Department (having successfully completed probationary period) and at
least two completed years as a full time sworn officer or road deputy for
another agency.
d. Have no disciplinary action resulting in suspension of 24 hours or more in
two years prior to submitting a letter of interest.
e. Must consistently achieve or exceed expectations in his/her annual
performance review.
f. Must consistently display a high level of ethical and professional conduct.
g. Must consistently demonstrate good report writing skills.
General Order 04.02 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM Page 3 of 6
2. The field training program administrator will maintain a roster of all authorized
FTOs and will have the authority to determi ne the number and status of
authorized FTOs based on current operational requirements. Any officer may be
removed from FTO status for disciplinary reasons, unsatisfactory performance,
change in duty assignment, promotion, upon a request to voluntarily with draw,
or for other reasons deemed in the best interest of the department.
3. The field training program administrator and review panel named above wil l
conduct an annual review of the FTOs and follow the approval process listed in
04.02.3(A)(2) of this general order.
4. The FTO will be required to successfully complete an approved FTO course and
shall be provided with specialized in -service training on an as -needed basis.
04.02 .4 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM
A. Each trainee , upon hiring , shall be assigned to a certified FT O with the patrol bureau,
unless otherwise authorized by the Chief of Police. At this point training should begin
on those aspects of the job which the trainee can participate in , even prior to being
sworn in. This would include, but is not limited to:
1. Incident, arrest and crash reports;
2. Review of department policies;
3. Processing of arrest