NCJ Number
144900
Journal
Field Training Quarterly Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (First Quarter 1993) Pages: 48-54
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The New York City Transit Police Department's Field Training and Evaluation Program has evolved into a rather unique field training model.
Abstract
The program specifically prepares transit police officers for a highly specialized law enforcement role. It lasts 14 weeks, but an additional 2-4 weeks can be added if remedial training is required. All recruit trainees entering the program have already completed 6 months of basic police academy training, as well as additional specialized transit training. During field training, recruits are on probation and assume the full patrol duties of transit police officers. Their assignments are completed under the direct supervision and counsel of a senior field training officer. The 14-week program is divided into four distinct phases: (1) introductory phase focusing on basic skills in the areas of job performance, safety, and liability; (2) mastery of basic skills phase; (3) advanced phase; and (4) evaluation phase. The Field Training and Evaluation Program is also used to retrain experienced police officers who have been away from uniformed patrol for an extended period of time. The history of New York's Transit Police Department is reviewed.