Policy Text
Policy
426Fremont Police Department
Field Training Officer Program
426.1 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 Fremont 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
possess all skills needed to operate in a safe, productive, and professional manner.
All full-time police officers employed by this department shall satisfactorily complete the Fremont
Police Department Field Training Officer Program as certified by the State of California
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
426.2 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.
426.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS
FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements:
(a)Desire to be an FTO
(b)Minimum of three years of patrol experience as a Fremont Police Officer
(c)Demonstrated ability as a positive role model
(d)Participate and pass an internal selection process
(e)Evaluation by supervisors
(f)Possess a POST Basic certificate
Selection of FTOs will be in accordance with the Specialty Assignment policy.
426.2.2 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.
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426.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPERVISOR (SERGEANT)
The FTO Program Supervisor will be a Sergeant appointed by the Patrol Division Commander,
with approval from the Chief of Police. The FTO Program Supervisor will coordinate the operational
and administrative tasks associated with the FTO program, under the direction of the FTO
Lieutenant.
The responsibilities of the FTO Program Supervisor include the following:
(a)Assignment of trainees to FTOs - Scheduling of FTO assignments for each recruit
and coordinating these assignments through the Watch Commanders, FTO Shift
Sergeants, and the Personnel and Training Unit
(b)Assignment of trainees to remedial training when required - Scheduling of instructors
and ensuring remedial training is documented
(c)Assist the FTO Program Manager with coordinating, scheduling, and carrying out
duties for FTO meetings. The FTO Program Supervisor will be responsible for
arranging the recruit training as identified in the evaluation meetings.
(d)Maintain, update and issue the Field Training Manual to each trainee. Upon the trainee
completing the Field Training Manual, the FTO Supervisor will review the manual for
accuracy and completion before forwarding to the FTO Manager for final review
(e)Coordinate and develop on-going training for FTOs as identified by the FTO Program
Manager
(f)Maintain the training lesson plans and training aids
(g)Oversight and maintenance of associated software programs utilized by the FTO
Program and their associated member profiles/accounts.
(h)Assist the FTO Program Manager with other duties as assigned.
The FTO Program Manager and FTO Program Supervisor will be required to successfully
complete a POST approved Field Training Supervisor/Administrator/Coordinator (SAC) Course
within one year of appointment to this position (11 CCR § 1004(c)).
426.4 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM MANAGER (LIEUTENANT)
The FTO Program Manager will be a Lieutenant who is appointed by the Patrol Division
Commander, with approval from the Chief of Police. The FTO Program Manager will oversee
and manage the FTO program. The program will be administered by the FTO Program Manager,
the FTO Program Supervisor (Sergeant), specially selected FTOs, and an FTO Shift Sergeant
representing each shift.
The responsibilities of the FTO Program Manager include the following:
(a)Oversight of assigning trainees to FTOs
(b)Coordinating and chairing FTO meetings, including establishing the agenda
(c)Coordinating with Personnel/Training regarding the Academy Liaison assignments
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(d)Review and approve the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations submitted by the FTO
through his/her immediate supervisor.
(e)Maintain and ensure FTO/trainee performance evaluations are completed - This shall
include responsibility for the maintenance and security of all records relating to recruit
development. The DORs, EPRs, tests, and the Field Training Completion Record will
be maintained electronically in the department's LEAPS program. The field training
manual is a hard copy and will be forwarded to the Patrol Division Commander for
filing in the Recruit Officer's permanent personnel file.
(f)Monitor individual FTO performance
(g)Review input on FTO performance