Policy Text
Policy
415Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 1Field Training Officer Program
415.1 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 Garden Grove 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.
415.2 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.
Master Officers and Corporals should generally be used as Field Training Officers, but
experienced patrol officers may be utilized.
415.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS
FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements:
(a)Desire to be an FTO
(b)Minimum of three years of full-time Police Officer experience, two of which shall be
with this department
(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
415.2.2 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.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Field Training Officer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 2415.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
The FTO Program supervisor should be selected from the rank of sergeant or above by the
Administrative Services Bureau Commander 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
(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)).
415.4 TRAINEE DEFINED
Any entry level or lateral police officer newly appointed to the Garden Grove Police Department
who has successfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy.
415.5 REQUIRED TRAINING
The Field Training Program (FTP) is dedicated to training a new police officer recruit or lateral
police officer to become a solo police officer at the Garden Grove Police Department. The Field
Training Program for new police officers consists of four (4) phases of training, with each phase
being twenty-eight (28) days one month in duration. If the new police officer has not demonstrated
proficiency to become a solo patrol officer, the Field Training Program can be extended to add
additional phases with the approval of the Field Training Coordinator and/or Management.
415.5.1 FIELD TRAINING MANUAL
Each new officer will be issued a Field Training Manual titled "Field Training Instruction Guide" at
the beginning of his/her Primary Training Phase. This manual is an outline of the subject matter
and/or skills necessary to properly function as an officer with the Garden Grove Police Department.
The officer shall become knowledgeable of the subject matter as outlined. He/she 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 Garden Grove Police Department. The Field Training Officer must comply with the
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Field Training Officer Program
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentField Training Officer Program - 3requirements of the program, obtaining the necessary forms from the Field Training Coordinator.
When the training is complete, the training manual is returned to the Field Training Coordinator.
415.6 EVALUATIONS
Evaluations are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as outlined
below.
415.6.1 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER
The FTO will be responsible for the following:
(a)Complete and submit a written evaluation on the performance of his/her 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 his/her assigned trainee
at the end of each phase of training.
(d)Sign off all