Policy Text
Field Training Program Guide
Vol. 1
Overview & Appendices
Transition to Becoming an Effective Patrol Officer
Transition to Becoming an Effective Patrol OfficerCalifornia POST-Certified Training
POST Field Training Program Guide 2014
Volume 1: Overview and Appendices
© California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Copyright July 2003
First published 1988
Revised: November 1997, April 2003, October 2014
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced , in whole or in part, in any form
or by any means electronic or mechanical or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without prior written permission of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. This publication (and any
videos associated with it) may not be posted to any web site or social media application,
including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or any future social media application.
There are two exceptions:
• California law enforcement agencies in the POST peace officer program and POST -
certified training presenters are hereby given permission by POST to reproduce any or all of the contents of this manual for their internal use only. However, distribution may be limited.
• Individuals are allowed to download POST publications for personal use only.
(Distribution is not allowed.)
Infringement of the copyright protection law and the provisions expressed here and on the POST website under Copyright/Trademark Protection
will be pursued in a court of law.
Questions about copyright protection of this publication and exceptions may be directed to the Publications Manager
.
POST.BTB.2003- 01.V2
www.post.ca.gov
Commission on POST
POST Mission Statement
The mission of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards
and Training is to continually enhance the professionalism of California law
enforcement in serving its communities.
POST Field Training Program Guide – Volume 1
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POST Commissioners
Peter Kurylowicz - Chair Deputy Sheriff
Riverside County
Lai Lai Bui Sergeant
Sacramento Police Department
Robert Doyle Sheriff
Marin County
Joyce Dudley District Attorney
Santa Barbara County
Sandra Hutchens Sheriff
Orange County
Laren Leichliter Deputy
San Bernardino County
Sheriff Department
Ron Lowenberg Dean
Criminal Justice Training Center
Golden West College
Jim McDonnell Chief
Long Beach Police Department
Bernard Melekian
Public Member
Sylvia Moir Chief
El Cerrito Police Department
Jethroe Moore, II Public Member
Laurie Smith – Vice Chair Sheriff
Santa Clara County
Larry Wallace
Representing Kamala Harris
Attorney General
Ex-Officio Member Director of Division of Law Enforcement
POST Field Training Program Guide – Volume 1
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iii Commission on POST
By POST Executiv e Director Manuel Alvarez Jr.
he purpose of this Field Training Program Guide is to provide administrators of POST -participating
agencies with information and assistance in applying POST field training program regulations within their
field training program development and maintenance. A standardized program and forms have be en
developed to guide law enforcement departments and their Field Training Officers (FTOs) through the initial
orientation and field training of newly assigned patrol officers. The program is designed to assist the new
officers in making the transition fro m what they learned in the academy to performing general law
enforcement uniformed patrol duties competently in the field.
The POST standardized program (with its structured learning content and applicable regulations) and the
other program samples in this guide are an accumulation of the best aspects of existing field training
programs throughout our state and the nation. They were designed and provided with the following
criteria in mind:
Defensible/Fair – The program 1) ensures proper selection and training of FTOs, 2) allows trainee
feedback mechanisms, 3) provide a comprehensive list of performance objectives, and 4) utilizes a
standardized evaluation process.
Effective/Manageable – The program is perfo rmance -based and includes adequate documentation,
minimum time completion requirements, and competency specifications.
Adaptable/Flexible – The program is adaptable to any size or type of agency. Flexibility is afforded as
agencies are able to incorporate agency -specific policies and procedures and other local references/
resources into the program.
The POST field training program regulations and POST -approved field training programs are intended to
achieve the following goals:
To produce a competent peace officer capable of working a uniformed , solo patrol assignment
in a safe, skillful, productive, and professional manner.
To provide standardized training to all newly assigned patrol officers in the practical application
of learned information .
To provide clear standards for rating and evaluation which give all trainees every reasonable
opportunity to succeed.
To enhance the professionalism, job skills, and ethical standards of California’s law enforcement
community.
The mission of the California C ommission on Peace Officer Standards and Training is to continually enhance
the professionalism of California law enforcement in serving its communities. This POST Field Training
Program Guide has been developed to support this mission, drawing upon the expertise of and input from
the law enforcement community statewide and nationally.
The Commission appreciates the contributions made by the Field Training Advisory Council, Reno Police
Departme nt (Nevada), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), and the Office of Community -Oriented
Policing Services (COPS), US Department of Justice, in providing input to prepare this guide. Questions or
comments regarding this document should be directed to the Basic Training Bureau