Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 06/08/2022
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________________
436 - Field Training Officer Program 1 POLICY 436 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM
436.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Field Training Officer (FTO) Program is intended to provide a standardized program to
facilitate the transition from the academic setting to the actual performance of general law
enforcement duties of the Tustin Police Department.
It is the policy of this Department to assign all new police officers to a structured FTO 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 .
436.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 33.4.1 , 33.4.3
This section pertains to the following Standard Operating Procedure s: N/A
436.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER – SELECTION AND TRAINING
The 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 previ ously acquired knowledge and skills.
436.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS
FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements:
a) Off probation ;
b) Demonstrated ability as a positive role model ;
c) Assessment by immediate supervisor ;
d) Participate in an in -house asses sment;
e) Participate, pass and be selected during an internal oral interview, which must include an
outside agency evaluator;
f) Have a minimum of two-year general law enforcement uniformed patrol experience.
436.2.2 TRAINING
An officer selected as a n FTO shall successfully complete a POST certified (40 -hour) Field
Training Officer’s Course prior to being assigned a trainee as an FTO.
All FTO’s must complete a POST certified Field Training Officer Update course every thr ee years
while assigned to the position of FTO. Every reassigned FTO, after a break in assignment of
three years or longer, must successfully complete the POST certified Field Training Officer
Update .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 06/08/2022
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________________
436 - Field Training Officer Program 2 436.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPE RVISOR
The FTO Program management will consist o f a Lieutenant (FTO Program Coordinator) and two
Sergeants (Assistant FTO Coordinators) selected by the Community Policing Bureau
Commander or his/her designee . Supervisors should possess a POST Supervisory Certificate.
The responsibilities of the FTO Program Supervisor s include the following :
a) Assignment of trainees to FTO s;
b) Conducting FTO meetings ;
c) Maintain and ensure Daily Observation Reports are completed ;
d) Monitor individual FTO performance ;
e) Monitor overall FTO Program ;
f) Maintain liaison with FTO Coordinators of other agencies;
g) Maintain liaison with PSD on recruit performance during the academy;
h) Develop ongo ing training for FTO s.
The FTO Program Supervisor s 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)) .
436.4 TRAINEE DEFINED
Any reserve, entry level , or lateral police officer newly appointed to the Tustin Police Department
who has successfully completed a POST approved basic academy.
436.5 REQUIRED TRAINING
Entry level officers shall be required to successfully complete the Field Tra ining Program,
consisting of a minimum of 16 weeks.
The training period for a lateral officer may be modified depending on the trainee’s demonstrated
performance and level of experience.
436.5.1 ROTATION OF ASSIGNMENT DURING TRAINING
During the training program , the trainee should be exposed to many facets of the department and
to several styles of training. Trainee s should spend training time with communications ,
investigations, property & evidence, traffic and records. The entry level trainee should spend time
with a minimum of three different FTOs and the lateral trainee with a minimum of two FTOs .
436.5.2 FIELD TRAINING MANUAL
Each new officer will assigned a profile in the field training software program . The web -based
software will include the Field Training Manual. This manual is an outline of the subject matter
and/or skills necessary to properly function as an o fficer with the Tustin Police Department. The
officer shall become knowledgeable in the subject matter as outlined. He/she shall also become
proficient with those skills as set forth in the manual.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 06/08/2022
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________________
436 - Field Training Officer Program 3 The Field Training Manual will conform to the policies, p rocedures, rules and regulations adopted
by the Tustin Police Department.
436.6 EVALUATIONS
Evaluations are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as
outlined below.
436.6.1 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER
The FTO will be respo nsible for the following: