Probation Department Policy/Procedure Manual

Field Training Program

Section VIII - TRAINING
Pages 4
Effective Date 7/16/2020
Previous Effective Date 6/10/2019

I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

II. PURPOSE

This policy establishes operational responsibilities for the Field Training Program.  

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to deputy probation officers assigned to field supervision assignments.  

IV. BACKGROUND

V. GENERAL POLICY

  1.  Organizational Structure
    1.  The Chief Deputies of the Adult-Casa Loma and Juvenile Divisions are responsible for the supervision and oversight of the Field Training Program.
      1.  Periodically conduct meetings with the Field Training Officer (FTO) Program staff to maintain standards, solicit suggestions and discuss solutions to problems.
    2.  Designated Supervising Deputy Probation Officers from the Adult and Juvenile Divisions are assigned as the FTO Program Coordinators.
  2.  FTO Program Coordinator Responsibilities
    1.  The duties and responsibilities of the FTO Program Coordinators include but are not limited to the following:
      1.  Oversee the day to day supervision of the FTO Program.
      2.  Assign new field officers to a Field Training Officer (FTO) and monitor progress until the officer is released from the Field Training Program.
      3. Conduct entry interviews for orientation purposes and exit interviews with trainees and their supervisor for quality assurance.  Trainee’s supervisors may attend these meetings at their discretion.
      4.  Review and endorse the performance evaluation reports of the trainee’s progress during field training.  
      5. Confer with FTOs and supervisors on the progress of officers in the program and prepare remedial training plans for trainees whose performance does not meet program standards.
      6.  Review and approve remedial training plans to address performance deficiencies.
      7. Evaluate the FTOs’ performance. 
      8.  Update the Field Training Manual and Guide.
  3.  Field Training Officer
    1.  The duties and responsibilities of Field Training Officers include but are not limited to:
      1.  Train and evaluate the trainee officers assigned to them.
      2.  Provide direct supervision of trainees when in the field.
      3. Complete required documentation on trainee progress or performance and complete remedial training as directed.
      4. Successfully complete the POST Field Training Officer course.
      5.  Attend a Field Training Officer Update course once every three (3) years.
  4.  Field Training Program Manual and Guide
    1.  Responsibility for preparation and content:
      1.  The Field Training Program Manual and Guide shall be used by FTOs in the training and evaluation of all officers placed in field training.
      2.  The assigned FTO will provide each new officer with a Field Training Program Manual and Guide. 
      3.  The FTO shall ensure officers assigned to them maintain the Field Training Program Guide and document progress of trainee officers in the Program Guide.  
      4.  The FTO will use the Field Training Program Manual’s evaluation guidelines to review and discuss the trainee’s performance during shift performance meetings.
      5.  The FTO shall deliver the completed Field Training Program Guide to the FTO Program Coordinator at the conclusion of the trainee officer’s field training.
      6. Completed Field Training Program Guides will be maintained by the Department Training Coordinator.
  5.  Assignments/Length of Program
    1.  No trainee shall be assigned to the Field Officer Program prior to his or her completion of the following requisites without prior approval of the Assistant Chief Probation Officer (ACPO): 
      1.  PC 832 Laws of Arrest
      2. PC 832 Firearms (if applicable)
      3. OC pepper spray certification
      4. Baton certification (if applicable)
      5. Taser certification (if applicable)
    2.  Trainee officers will be assigned to at least two (2) FTOs during their training period.
    3. The Field Training Program is conducted over a minimum of 100 hours for new field officers.  The minimum number of hours for lateral transfer officers will be determined on a case by case basis with final approval of the number of training hours by the ACPO.
  6.  Program Extensions
    1.  The Field Training Program may be extended when recommended by the FTO Program Coordinator and approved by the Chief Deputy of the specific division to which the trainee is assigned. 
    2.  Program extensions will be limited to a maximum of 50 hours.
  7.  Evaluations
    1.  The FTO will complete Field Performance Reports for each training shift as well as complete an end of phase completion report, and review all reports with the trainee.  These evaluations will be submitted to the FTO Program Coordinator.  
    2. All evaluations will be reviewed and signed by the trainee within three days.  Trainees will be provided an opportunity to make written comments and to receive copies of the evaluative reports.  
    3. The FTO, FTO Program Coordinator and trainee’s immediate supervisor should meet periodically to discuss the officer’s performance and if necessary, develop a plan of action to correct any deficiencies. 

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.