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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Field Training Officer Program - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Field Training Officer Program 418.1 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 Santa Monica 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, produ ctive, and professional manner. 418.2 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. 418.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS On an annual basis, current and prospective FTOs shall submit a memorandum of interest through their chain -of-command to be considered for selection. The selection process wil l consist of an oral interview panel. FTO Sergeants will be selected and remain at the discretion of the Operations Commander or their designee. FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements: (a) Desire to be an FTO (b) Demonstrated ability as a positi ve role model (c) Participate and pass an internal oral interview selection process (d) Evaluation by supervisors and current FTOs (e) Possess a POST Basic certificate 418.2.2 TRAINING A sworn officer selected as a Field Training Officer shall successfully complete a POST cer tified (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. Policy 418 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Field Training Officer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Field Training Officer Program - 2 418.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPERVISOR The FTO Program supervisor should be selected from the rank of sergeant or above by the Operations Division Commander or a designee and should possess, or be eligible to receive, a POST Supervisory Certificate. The responsibilities of the FTO Program super visor 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)). 418.4 TRAINEE DEFINED Any entry level or lateral police officer newly appointed to the Santa Monica Police Department who has succe ssfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy. 418.5 REQUIRED TRAINING Entry level officers shall be required to successfully complete a POST -approved Field Training Program, consisting of a minimum of 10 weeks (Penal Code § 13515.295;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). The lieutenant of the Field Officer Training Program, with the approval of the Chief of Police, may modify or exempt a lateral from the Field Training Program. 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. After successfully completing the Field Training Program, the officer is expected to competently perform as a solo patrol officer. They will be evaluated by a supervisor on a quarterly basis until the end of their prob ation period. To ensure proper evaluation and monitoring, the officer may have their shift rotated at the discretion of the Patrol Operations Division Commander or their Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Field Training Officer Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/12/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Field Training Officer Program - 3