Law Enforcement Field Training Program Guidelines

Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 33.8: Field Training Program

• Effective Date: May 30, 2024
• Supersedes: May 2, 2023
• Accreditation Standards: CFA 10.07
• Number of Pages: 8
• Purpose: To establish guidelines for the law enforcement field training program.
• Scope: Applies to all law enforcement deputies.
• Goal: Improve overall agency effectiveness and efficiency by:
  • Facilitating on-the-job observations and performance assessments
  • Providing a valid, job-related, post-basic training evaluation of recruits
  • Providing an appraisal system to measure training effectiveness
  • Providing an incentive for experienced deputies to develop skills and leadership qualities
• Policy (Prior to Independence):
  • Successfully complete a New Member Training Program
  • Successfully complete a Field Training Program
  • Comply with Field Training Manual requirements

Duties and Responsibilities

• Field Operations Bureau Commander:
  • Manages the Field Training Program
  • Recommends candidates for Field Training Sergeant status
  • Manages the Field Training Selection Committee
• Training and Support Lieutenant:
  • Coordinates administrative functions of the Field Training Program
  • Makes recommendations to the Commander for program improvements
  • Coordinates FTO Quarterly Training
  • Coordinates and oversees the Field Training Selection Committee
  • Administers the SPEAR Program
  • Supervises Field Training Sergeants
  • Reviews trainee evaluations (end-of-phase, remedial plans, and follow-up)

FTO Qualifications and Selection

• Qualifications:
  • Minimum of two years' experience with Pasco Sheriff's Office as a deputy
  • Or, three years prior law enforcement experience with a different agency and completion of their probationary period.
• Selection Process:
  • Announcement of vacancies
  • Detailed description of selection criteria
  • Performance appraisals
  • Professional Standards files
  • Applicant's memorandum
  • Supervisor recommendations
  • Report writing and editing exercises
  • Oral board interview

Training (FTOs)

• Training Officer Course Completion:
  • Completion of a CJSTC 40-hour Field Training Officer course
  • Completion of an agency-developed training course
• Mandatory Quarterly Training:
  • Conducted by Training and Support Lieutenant
  • Ensuring members remain updated and improved in skills for training

Recruit Status

• New Member Training Program:
  • High-liability topics (use of force, agency policy)
  • Emergency vehicle operations
  • Computer operations
  • Report writing (amongst other topics)
  • Two-week Field Observation Phase (FOP) to observe Field Training Officers
• Field Training Program:
  • 16-week program consisting of four four-week phases
  • Phase 1-3 based on SPEAR and Field Training Officers Manual
  • Phase 4 is a four-week observation phase to prepare for solo deputy status
  • Accelerated Training Program (opt.) is for deputies with prior experience (skips Phase 3)
• Evaluations:
  • Daily training scores based on Standard Evaluation Guidelines (SEGs)
  • Maximum of three two-week remedial training extensions per member
  • Members who do not meet requirements may be dismissed or reassigned
  • Training completion, or transferring to other roles, may require full-program completion

Field Training Officer Program Stipends

• Field Training Sergeants: Stipend for each day supervising a trainee
• Field Training Corporals: Stipend when supervising trainees (in Sergeant's absence)
• Field Training Officers: Stipend for each working day and a Daily Observation Report (DOR)