NCJ Number
143234
Journal
Field Training Quarterly Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1988
Length
6 pages
Annotation
When the Evansville (Indiana) police department needed more field training officers (FTOs) to handle an influx of new officers and to fill vacancies created by personnel officers, management decided to reevaluate the certification process for FTOs.
Abstract
The original course emphasized instruction in basic police skills, use of rating forms, and standard evaluation procedures; however, it was apparent that FTOs did not have adequate instructional skills, were not uniformly trained in using verbal and written communications, and were not using standard evaluation guidelines properly when rating a recruit's daily performance. The department modified its certification course to fit its philosophy of performance- oriented training. The topics of instruction chosen for the new curriculum included the role of the FTO, principles of communication, learning, lesson planning, methods of instruction, overriding a new officer, use of the Field Training and Standard Evaluation Guidelines, and student evaluations. The 5-day course was designed to produce FTOs who could serve as an instructor and evaluator as well as a proper role model for trainees.