Boca Raton Police Services Department Field Training Program PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 33.200 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Departmental Standards Directive is to provide guidelines for the Field Training Program (FTP) and the responsibilities of its participants. II. POLI...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Departmental Standards Directive 33.200 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM Revised: new I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Departmental Standards Directive is to provide guidelines for the Field Training Program (FTP) and the responsibilities of its participants. II. POLICY: It shall be the policy of the Boca Raton Police Services Department to train newly-hired law enforcement officers (LEOs) in Department policies and procedures, officer safety techniques, as well as proper law enforcement practices through the use of a field training program. Because of the functional support provided by Patrol Services, the FTP shall be administered by Field Services Division (FSD) employees to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the program. The Field Training Program is a nationally accepted training program designed to help new LEOs make the transition from the classroom environment of the police academy to the application of learned skills in field situations. The field training concept enables the trainee to reach an acceptable level of performance in the given time span, provided the trainee and field training officer work together. III. PROCEDURE: A. GOALS OF THE FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM: 1. The Department’s Field Training Program has been designed and implemented to meet the following objectives: a. To produce a highly trained and positively motivated LEO capable of meeting or exceeding the Department’s standards of performance. b. To provide equal and standardized training to all newly hired LEOs and to provide remedial training in those areas where deficiencies are identified. c. To build on the foundation of knowledge learned at the police academy, thereby creating an environment in which the trainee may develop new skills as well as increase proficiency in those acquired in an academic setting. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 1 of 8 d. To expand the Department’s screening process by providing on-the-job observation of each trainee's performance. e. To ultimately increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Department by developing competent and professional employees. f. To familiarize the trainee with Departmental policies and procedures, mission, vision, and values statements. B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM COMMANDER: a. The FTP commander shall be a FSD captain assigned by the FSD commander and has command responsibility for the FTP in addition to the duties of his/her regular assignment. b. The FTP commander is responsible for maintaining, overseeing, and updating the entire program operation including revising manuals and implementing changes. c. The FTP commander will assign an FTO supervisor from the FSD to assist with all areas concerning the day-to-day duty operation of the program and its future development. 2. FIELD TRAINING OFFICER (FTO) SUPERVISOR: a. The FTO supervisor shall be a FSD sergeant assigned by the FTP commander. 10.07 b. The FTO supervisor has day-to-day duty responsibility for the Field Training Program. 10.07 c. Patrol functions take priority over training. d. The FTO supervisor is responsible for completing the following activities: i. Maintain and oversee program operation with the FTP commander. ii. Revise manuals iii. Implement changes in policy when the need arises. iv. Select prospective FTOs using the Transfer Selection Board process for specialized positions as outlined in the Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). 10.07 Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 2 of 8 v. Ensure training needs of FTOs are being met through periodic refresher training and in-service training given at evaluation sessions. 10.07 vi. Review all Daily Observation Reports (DORs) and any other information relative to a trainee's progress. vii. Conduct meetings with all FTOs to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness and to provide training. viii. Maintain confidential files containing administrative, personnel, and training information. ix. Schedule and moderate evaluation sessions. x. Ensure that FTOs are evaluated through trainee evaluations and formal supervisor evaluations. e. The FTO supervisor maintains only that supervisory responsibility necessary and relevant to the Field Training Program and shall not conflict with the other shift commanders and their routine watch responsibilities. 10.07 f. FTO supervisors are responsible to communicate and resolve issues with other shift supervisors when matters arise regarding the actions or responsibilities of an FTO. 10.07 3. FIELD TRAINING OFFICER (FTO): a. In addition to training a new officer, an FTO must maintain his/her performance level as a law enforcement officer and will not be relieved of those responsibilities during or after training. b. When acting as a training officer, the FTO has the following duties: i. The FTO often acts as a first line supervisor. a) The trainee will make mistakes and these mistakes are to be addressed and corrected during the training process. b) There are times when the trainee will do something that is viewed as minor in nature but, due to their new position and the need for intervention, the FTO must take action and counsel the trainee. 1) The FTO supervisor and/or FTP commander may also follow up the counseling, if the need exists. 2) Depending on the severity and timeliness of the incident, it is essential that the FTO take immediate action to ensure proper training. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 3 of 8 ii. The FTO is a teacher, which in most instances occurs in the field under actual conditions. iii. The FTO is an evaluator and must develop and use skills to determine if learning is occurring and whether or not remedial training is necessary. a) Evaluation skills are very important to this program because if the FTO cannot evaluate, he/she cannot train. b) Evaluation is accomplished through Daily Observation Reports, standardized guidelines, worksheets, remedial training, evaluation sessions, and verbal feedback. 1) The principal element of effective evaluation is objectivity. 2) The principal goal of evaluation is to document performance. iv. The FTO is the problem-solving resource for the trainee. a) Usually the best way to accomplish problem solving is through coaching. b) The FTO must teach the trainee to solve his/her own problems. v. FTOs may be called upon to perform some administrative duties, which may include reorganization of program functions, a teaching assignment or another necessary duty that would help improve the Department and the FTO Program. vi. The FTO is responsible for inspecting the trainee's uniform, vehicle, equipment, and proofreading all of the trainee’s paperwork. vii. The FTO must make sure his/her trainee receives and records all necessary information. viii. The FTO must remain a positive role model by being professional, adhering to rules and regulations, and maintaining a positive attitude toward the Department, FTO program, job, and the trainee. ix. The FTO is responsible for the initial recommendation of extension, termination, or release of the trainee to a solo assignment. a) The decision to terminate will be made at a higher level, but it is the FTO’s responsibility to initiate the discussion with the FTO supervisor. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 4 of 8 b) An FTO must document, give remedial training, further document, and finally give a recommendation to the FTO supervisor. c. FTOs must be flexible and able to change as the challenges change, otherwise the trainee, the program, and the Department will suffer. d. FTO incentive pay is addressed in the Agreement between the City of Boca Raton and the FOP. C. STRUCTURE: 1. The Field Training Program is structured so that the trainee will always be able to identify his/her direct supervisor. 2. 3. The chain of command for the trainee will be as follows: a. Chief of police b. Deputy chief of police c. Assistant chief of police d. FSD commander e. FTP commander f. FTO supervisor g. FTO The trainee shall not violate the chain of command. 4. The following is an outline of how the trainee will operate within the chain of command: a. The trainee shall respond directly to his/her FTO and not go to another for assistance unless the situation is of an urgent nature and the FTO is not available. b. While the trainee will occasionally have contact with the FTO supervisor, he/she is primarily responsible to his/her FTO. c. This procedure is necessary to ensure proper training and the absence of conflicting information. 5. A chain of command exists for trainees participating in the Field Training Program, which is to be adhered to as long as the business being conducted relates to the Program and its goals. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 5 of 8 a. When the FTO supervisor is not available, a departure from the chain of command is allowed if a matter of urgency exists and action must be taken immediately. b. When time is not a factor the chain must be kept intact. c. The only condition for departure from the normal FTP chain of command is when information is so sensitive or urgent that the need to bypass others exists. 6. The watch commander and squad supervisors, while not a direct link in the FTP chain of command, are an integral part of the system. 7. The watch commander and squad supervisors should support and cooperate with the FTP to ensure its success. D. PHASE ROTATION: 1. The certified LEO trainee will be assigned to orientation training. Orientation training is provided to the trainee prior to the start of phase training through the Training Unit. Upon completion of orientation training and after being duly sworn in by the chief of police, the trainee will enter phase rotation training. 2. The program has been divided into four (4) phases with the trainee being assigned to a different FTO for each of the first three (3) phases and staying with the third FTO for the final phase. 3. Throughout the program, the trainee will be rotated to various patrol shifts to give the trainee exposure to each shift, the respective working conditions, and exposure to all areas of law enforcement. 4. During the phase rotation process the trainees will also familiarize themselves with the specialized units within the Department by rotating in the following specialized units for training: 5. a. Investigative Services Bureau b. Communications c. Crime Lab d. K-9 e. Front Desk The normal duration of the Field Training Program is sixteen (16) weeks. a. While the length may exceed sixteen (16) weeks for various reasons, it may also be reduced if the trainee has prior law enforcement experience. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 6 of 8 b. The program shall only be reduced at the discretion of the FTO supervisor and the FTP commander. c. The program has been divided into phases that are each a programmed length of time. d. Tasks are organized based on the needs of the trainee and the Department. 6. Phase training is designed to provide the following: a. A systematic approach to field training b. Consistent and standardized training c. The skills or tasks necessary for the LEO to perform his/her duties independently. d. An introduction to all areas of the City as well as an opportunity to work various patrol shifts e. The opportunity to train with various FTOs and be exposed to their varied techniques while operating within standardized guidelines. 7. For detailed descriptions of the phases, refer to Standard Operating Procedure 33.20 Field Training Program Operations. E. LEO DEPLOYMENT: 1. While in phase training, the trainee and his/her FTO shall be considered a oneofficer unit through the end of Phase III. 2. In the first three stages of training, the FTO must not only consider his/her own safety, but the trainee as well. 3. The trainee shall not be separated from his/her FTO for the purposes of using him/her as a non-trainee LEO. F. SHIFT AND CITY EXPOSURE: 1. During the training period, the new trainee will rotate through each patrol shift or watch so the trainee will be exposed to the varied working conditions each LEO must face in his or her career. 2. Each trainee is responsible for learning City geography. 3. Trainees must demonstrate an ability to perform satisfactorily in each area of the City and be able to find all locations within the Department’s jurisdiction. Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 7 of 8 4. Trainees should demonstrate an understanding of the policing problems of various geographical areas. G. REMEDIAL EXTENSION POLICY: 1. Trainees may have their training time extended to allow them sufficient time to master complex tasks necessary to complete the program. a. It is not guaranteed that every trainee will be granted an extension. b. The decision to extend shall be that of the FTO, FTO supervisor, and FTP commander. c. The decision to extend shall be based on a review of performance and other information available as well as the recommendations of the FTOs and Field Training Program staff. d. The extension is not to be viewed as punishment, but as an opportunity to remediate unsatisfactory performance and insure progress. 2. The extension may be handled in the following ways: a. The trainee may continue to work with the same FTO or may be assigned to a different FTO on any of the available shifts. b. The extension will be tailored to fit the training needs of the trainee. 3. Since remedial training may be difficult for the trainee, it is the FTO's responsibility to see that the extension is viewed from a positive perspective and as a strategy that will lead to success. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: January 22, 2014 Revised: Date: Field Training Program Directive No. 33.200 Page 8 of 8