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G.O. 30 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER NUMBER: GO - 30 SUBJECT: FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM EFFECTIVE: MARCH 31, 2001 REVISED: OCTOBER 1, 2022 GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 1 OF 10 I. POLICY: It shall be the policy of the Longwood Police Department to establish an effective initial training program for all police officers. II. PURPOSE: The responsibilities of police officers require specialized training to prepare them to take appropriate action and make well educated decisions; especially under stressful conditions. With this in mind, coupled with an understanding that police interaction can have a lasting impact on society, the department has developed a training program entitled the ‘Field Training Program’ for all newly employed police officers. The purpose of the field training program is to prepare new police officers to effectively perform their duties. The program has two main objectives: A. New officers (recruits) will be educated and trained on the various aspects of performing the duties of a police officer with the Longwood Police Department. This training will be comprised of instructor lecture, practical exercises, demonstrations and field observation/performance. Continual evaluation of a recruit’s performance under actual field conditions will enable trainers to identify specific strengths, weaknesses and deficiencies. Trainers will then be able to adjust for the recruit’s specific training needs while developing the recruit into an independent officer. If necessary, a remedial training program can be developed and instituted to improve weaknesses and correct deficiencies if a recruit is not responding satisfactorily to the training program. B. Through continual evaluation, confirmed by alternative training methods to include remedial training, those recruits who are unable to attain the level of proficiency expected of a Longwood Police Officer may be identified and removed from the field training program. GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 2 OF 10 III. PROCEDURE: A. Overview Of the Field Training Program: 1. Selection Criteria for Field Training Officers (F.T.O.): a. The completion of the one year probationary period for new hires and a minimum of two years of total law enforcement experience. b. No disciplinary actions and all evaluation categories rated at the ‘Meets Standard’ level or better for the previous year of employment. c. Approval by the officer’s immediate supervisor and the field training program supervisor with confirmation by the training coordinator. d. Successfully completed the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (C.J.S.T.C) approved field training officer course. 2. Program Duration: a. Each recruit will be assigned to the field training program for a time period equal to fifty-five training days. b. In certain exceptional. cases, a recruit may have his/her training time requirement reduced because of extensive prior experience and demonstrated ability. c. The field training program will be completed in the following phases: 1. Orientation Phase: The recruit will receive five days of classroom and practical training, which is outlined, in part, in General Order 26, Section X. 2. Phase One: Once the orientation phase is completed; the recruit is assigned a F.T.O. in the patrol division for twenty training days. The F.T.O. will provide instruction on the curriculum provided for Phase 1 Training. The recruit will start observing the trainer in the field and will be expected to gradually start completing basic tasks GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 3 OF 10 associated with the trainer’s patrol duties. At the end of the phase, the recruit will be presented a written examination on the topics learned during the phase. 3. Phase Two: Once phase 1 is completed the recruit is assigned a F.T.O. in the patrol division for fifteen training days. The F.T.O. will coordinate the recruit’s training on the duties and skills associated with the specialized units of the agency. The recruit will be assigned a schedule allowing training with F.T.O.’s assigned to the traffic and investigations units. The recruit will receive instruction on the curriculum provided for the other specialized units for phase 2 training. The recruit will be expected to start developing independent thought process skills regarding basic responsibilities and progressively more difficult tasks associated with the trainer’s patrol duties. At the end of the phase, the recruit will be presented a written examination on the topics learned during the phase. 4. Phase Three: Once phase 2 is completed; the recruit is assigned a F.T.O. in the patrol division for fifteen training days. The F.T.O. will provide instruction on the curriculum provided for phase 3 training. The recruit will be expected to develop independent thought process skills regarding necessary responsibilities and complex tasks associated with the trainer’s patrol duties. At the end of the phase, the recruit will be presented a written examination on the topics learned during the phase. 5. Phase Four (Final Phase): Once phase 3 is completed; the recruit will be assigned a F.T.O. in the patrol division for five days of observation. During this evaluation period, the F.T.O. will operate solely as an observer of the recruit on all calls. The trainer should only interject as a last resort when absolutely necessary for safety or to prevent a public disservice. 6. Exit Review & Evaluation: Upon successful completion of phase 4; the recruit will take part in an exit review and evaluation process. This will consist of any or all of the following: a. Oral Review Board GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 4 OF 10 b. Written Exam c. Report Writing Scenario(s) d. Practical Field Exercise(s) d. At the completion of the exit review and evaluation process, a review of the recruit’s performance will be evaluated to determine if he/she is prepared to be released from the program and assigned for regular duty. If the recruit is not performing at a satisfactory level, it will be recommended that the recruit not be assigned for regular duty. The chief of police will have the final decision in this matter. It should be noted that a recruit may be terminated during any phase of the program. 3. Program Exit Review Recommendations: a. Successful completion of the program and the recruit is prepared for a regular duty assignment. b. The recruit is not prepared for duty, but there is reason to believe a remedial training plan will enable the recruit to develop to a satisfactory level. c. The recruit is not prepared for duty and it is believed a remedial training plan will not enable the Recruit to operate at a satisfactory level. B. Evaluation: 1. Once a recruit begins the field training program, the recruit’s training and performance will be documented each day by the F.T.O. a. All training and performance evaluations will be documented using a daily observation report (D.O.R.) b. A D.O.R. will be completed for each training day. c. Details listed on D.O.R.’s will be reviewed by the F.T.O. with the recruit and submitted daily. 2. When rating a recruit’s performance and knowledge, F.T.O.’s shall utilize the field training program standardized evaluation guidelines provided in the field training manual to ensure consistency and a clear understanding GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 5 OF 10 between the trainer and recruit. Any deficiencies in performance by the recruit will be immediately addressed by the F.T.O. 3. At the end of each phase of training, the recruit will be required to successfully complete a written examination on the curriculum material provided during the phase. Answering 80% or more of the questions correctly will be considered a passing score. 4. The field training program supervisor will utilize a field training supervisor assessment form to document the recruit’s progress on a weekly basis. The supervisor should base the evaluation on the recruit’s D.O.R.’s and the supervisor’s own personal observations of the recruit. 5. During the field training program, recruits shall be instructed on the training curriculum provided in the field training manual. F.T.O.’s will complete the section(s) associated with the recruit’s assignment at the time he/she is with the trainer. This training will be documented on the recruit’s field training program sign off sheet. The documentation requires notation of the material instructed on, the date instructed and the initials of the trainer and recruit. 6. The F.T.O. supervisor will maintain the daily observation reports in the sergeant’s office while the recruit is actively in the program. 7. Weekly reports completed by the F.T.O. supervisor will be maintained by the F.T.O. supervisor in the sergeant’s office. 8. At the conclusion of the field training program, each recruit will complete an evaluation on the field training program. This allows the recruit opportunity to communicate constructive feedback and recommendations related to the program and trainers. The evaluation will be reviewed by the F.T.O. supervisor and forwarded to the training coordinator. IV. GUIDELINES: A. Field training officers will evaluate the recruits based on the program’s standardized evaluation guidelines and department policy. B. Recruits will be provided access to the field training manual at the beginning of the program. The manual includes the training curriculum and program’s standardized evaluation guidelines. GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 6 OF 10 V. FIELD TRAINING CURRICULUM: A. Resources Provided: 1. Vaccination Questionnaire 2. Department Directives 3. City Internet Use Policy 4. Radio Codes Form 5. Agency Telephone Contact List 6. City Map B. Orientation Phase Training Topics: 1. Historical Information 2. Field Training Program Overview 3. Department Organization 4. Police Station Orientation 5. Employee Benefits 6. Administrative Documents 7. Collective Bargaining Agreement 8. General Orders and Policies 9. Search and Seizure 10. Officer Safety 11. Traffic and Felony Stops 12. Building Searches 13. Weapons Training GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 7 OF 10 14. F.C.I.C. Certification 15. Incident Command Systems (I.C.S.) 16. Accreditation Orientation 17. Infectious Disease Training 18. Vehicle Operations Safety Training 19. Photo Line Up/ Show Up Training 20. Mental Health Awareness Training 21. All other information dictated in General Order 26 (Training) Section X. C. Phase One Training Topics: 1. Preparing for Duty 2. Communications 3. M.C.T. and Report Writing 4. City Boundaries and Locations 5. Vehicle Operations and Maintenance 6. In- Car Video System 7. Code Enforcement 8. Arrest and Detention Procedures 9. Prolific Offenders 10. Interviews and Interrogations 11. Court Preparation and Testimony 12. Officer Related Crimes 13. Classification of Crimes GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 8 OF 10 14. Common Felony Crimes 15. Common Misdemeanor Crimes D. Phase Two Training Topics (Specialized Units): 1. Traffic Unit 2. Criminal Investigations Unit 3. Community Relations Unit 4. Elder Services and FOCUS Education 5. School Resource Officer Program 6. Aviation Unit 7. Supervisor Duties 8. Communications Center E. Phase Three Training Topics 1. Juvenile Procedures 2. Fraud Investigations 3. Robbery Alarm Procedures 4. Bomb Threat Procedures 5. Hazardous Material Incidents 6. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Incidents 7. Domestic Violence Investigations 8. Landlord/Tenant Disputes 9. Civil Disputes 10. Death Investigations GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 9 OF 10 11. Sex Crime Investigations 12. Canine Operations VI. FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM CURRICULUM: A. The field training program supervisor is responsible for updating, revising, and maintaining the program curriculum, manuals, forms and scheduling. B. The field training program supervisor shall provide an opportunity for supervisors of specialized units to provide input regarding the specialized unit curriculum involving their units. C. All field training program testing will be proctored by the field training program supervisor. D. All updates and revisions to the program shall be forwarded, via the training coordinator, to the chief of police for approval. VII. SUPERVISION OF THE FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM A. The field training program supervisor is appointed by the training coordinator and maintains a minimum rank of sergeant. B. The field training supervisor will directly supervise all field training officers during the fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities as active F.T.O.s. C. On a minimum of a weekly basis, the field training supervisor will review all D.O.R.s completed by field training officers to ensure that proper evaluation and documentation methods are being followed. D. The field training supervisor will periodically communicate with all active field training officers to provide guidance, establish scheduling and provide information regarding recent changes of any issues. E. The F.T.O. supervisor will regularly communicate recent developments and concerns regarding the field training program with the training coordinator. F. It is the duty and responsibility of all field training officers to report any concerns or problems with a recruit to the field training supervisor. This should be done through D.O.R.s and frequent communication with the field training supervisor. GENERAL ORDER FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM GO – 30 PAGE 10 OF 10 VIII. FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM RECRUIT DOCUMENTATION: A. While a recruit is assigned to the field training program, the F.T.O. supervisor will be responsible for maintaining all of the recruit’s training documentation to include, but not limited to, signoffs, D.O.R.s and examinations. B. Once a recruit has completed the field training program, all related training documentation will be scanned and maintained electronically.