Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTITLE ACCREDITATION
Recruit Orientation/Field Training and CALEA 33.1.5.a,b, 33.4.1,
Evaluation Program 33.4.2.a,b,c, 33.4.3.a-h
PROPONENT UNIT
PRIOR REVISIONS
Training and Education Division
8/12/02, 11/16/05, 11/12/08,
3/02/09, 06/18/03, 04/27/20
ATTACHMENT: 0
NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES
33.2 07/01/98 09/16/2024 5
I. PURPOSE: This Order establishes guidelines for the orientation of new recruits training and
their training through a Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP).
II. POLICY: The Department will ensure that new recruits receive full orientation and demonstrate
proficiency in prescribed areas before being released to solo status. To this end, the Gainesville
Police Department shall establish and maintain a Field Training and Evaluation Program for the
effective training, of newly hired sworn personnel in the Department’s policies, procedures and
methods.
III. DEFINITION:
Field Training Officer (FTO): A specially trained law enforcement officer who is responsible for
providing on-the-job training to newly appointed officers.
Field Training Sergeant (FTS): All Sergeants within the Operations Bureau are a vital part of
the FTEP chain of command and will report to a designated “Lead FTO Sergeant” on their
respective shifts. Team Sergeants will be responsible for FTO’s/Trainees assigned to their
teams during a stage of training, review their arrests and forward to the lead FTO Sergeant for
final review on shift. The Lead FTO Sergeant will then forward all FTEP matters to the FTO
Coordinator. The Sergeant's duties and responsibilities include mentoring and providing
leadership training and support to the FTO, as well as offering critiques to FTO performance
and counseling FTOs or trainees should the need arise on shift. The Field Training Sergeant will
also be responsible for trainee termination/remediation recommendations.
Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP): A structured program whose goal is to
produce highly trained and motivated officers through standardized training, provide new
officers with the tools and relevant experiences to perform law enforcement duties and keep
trainees in a closely supervised evaluation program.
Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) Committee: Committee comprised of
chairperson and co-chairperson (rank of Lt or above) and field training officers that work under
the supervision of the FTEP Manager. The committee makes recommendations regarding
several topics to include: Procedural justice and community oriented policing goals; candidates
for selection as active FTOs; FTEP manual update recommendations, FTEP committee
member appointment recommendations, FTEP procedure recommendations, training
recommendations with final approval by the Training and Education Division, FTO uniform
appearance and insignia recommendations, and FTEP compliance with CALEA accreditation.
Scope: Sworn Department Members\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Certified Recruit: Recruits hired by the Department who have completed the minimum basic
recruit requirements in accordance with Department policies and State statutes for law
enforcement employment. These include passing a physical examination, a Basic Abilities Test,
the Florida Basic Recruit Training Program, and the State Officer Certification Exam as well as
all pre-requisites of the CJSTC (Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission).[CALEA
33.4.2]
Non-Certified Recruit: New hires, or recruits hired by the Department who have not yet
completed a basic training course may be temporarily assigned in an administrative capacity not
requiring the carrying of a weapon, enforcement of the law, or making an arrest pending
certification. These assignments are originally determined by the Professional Standards and
Support Services Bureau Commander. [CALEA 33.4.1]
IV. PROCEDURE:
A. Recruits Initial Training and Orientation: Only recruits who successfully complete the
minimum basic recruit training requirements, in accordance with Department policies
and State statutes for law enforcement employment, will be accepted in the Field
Training and Evaluation Program. This includes all requirements set forth in FSS 943.13
and possession of a State of Florida Law Enforcement Certification. No recruit will be
assigned to any position in which they carry a weapon or make an arrest unless they
have met all prerequisite requirements. [CALEA 33.4.1] The FTEP Manual will outline all
procedures and areas of training.
1. Recruit Orientation: Department recruits will participate in a recruit orientation,
either prior to, or on initiation into the Field Training and Evaluation Program. The
orientation will include, but may not be limited to training in:
i. Department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, academy
handbook.
ii. The agency’s role, purpose and goals- to include community engagement
and community oriented policing.
iii. Working conditions and regulations,
iv. The employee’s rights and responsibilities.
v. Accreditation.
2. The City of Gainesville’s orientation may provide training in some of these areas,
and those areas covered will not have to be repeated.
B. Supervision and Chain of Command: When a recruit/trainee is assigned to FTEP they
are under the direct supervision of the FTEP Coordinator or their designee. The FTEP
Coordinator is responsible for the placement of each trainee with an FTO after the
completion of the post academy recruit training program. The recruit/trainee’s chain of
command while assigned to an FTO is as follows:
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GENERAL ORDER
1. FTO
2. FTO Sergeant
3. FTEP Coordinator
4. FTEP Manager (Training Lieutenant)
5. Administrative Branch-Assistant Chief of Police/Major
6. Chief of Police
C. FTO Qualification and Selection: In order to maintain the highest quality level of
training for all GPD officers, all members attempting to attain FTO status will be required
to: [CALEA 33.4.3b]
1. Have at least two years of service as a sworn law enforcement officer where at
least one of those years is as a solo police officer with the Gainesville Police
Department. Any time spent in the FTEP program is not included as part of the
mandatory one year with GPD
2. Have a review completed and evaluated of the members’ Internal Affairs (IA)
history, as well as their most recent evaluation scores and performance review
3. Pass a written technical knowledge test with at least a score of 80%
4. Pass an oral board comprised of three department members
5. Prospective FTOs will also submit:
i. Letters of recommendation from two current or former supervisors in the
employee’s chain of command and two letters from the employee’s peers.
The supervisor letters shall include a review of the employee’s report
writing and investigative abilities, officer safety habits, knowledge of
department policies and laws, and overall level of proactivity and
customer service
ii. An updated resume
iii. A letter of intent to the Chair of the FTEP committee through their chain of
command
6. If selected as a successful applicant by the FTEP committee, the member’s
information will be sent to the Chief of Police for final review and approval. Once
approved, prospective FTO’s must attend the Florida Department of Law
Enforcement FTO School at an approved CJSTC course (if they have not already
attended) [CALEA 33.4.3.e].
D. Maintaining FTO Performance: All FTOs assigned to the FTEP training program will be
required to maintain positive performance, as assessed by the supervising FTO
Sergeant. At the end of the FTEP, trainees will also be required to evaluate the
performance of their individual FTOs. On an annual basis the Chief of Police will provide
a recommended list of active FTOs to the Operations Bureau for the next calendar year
based on these assessments and evaluations, but also to prevent burnout and fatigue of
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