Articles

This page features articles written by Indiana NAFTO members and other contributors. If you have ideas for any articles or have written an article you feel may be appropriate, please email the director with the information at director@in-nafto.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE INDUCTION TRAINING - The Field Training Concept. Ed. Peter Charles Unsinger and Harry W More. Publisher; Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL., 1990

This 169-page book, edited by Unsinger and More, is a collection of six monographs, written, or co-written by a total of nine authors with professional backgrounds ranging from State Police Trooper to Ph.D. psychologist. The stated intent of the editors was to provide “a valuable resource” for “Those contemplating the creating of a Field Training Program, or evaluating their current program ...“ The book is, according to the editors, aimed at practitioners, students of government, the pre-service Criminal Justice major arid lawyers. I would add, that with the extreme paucity of published materials dealing with the field training concept, this volume could be an addition to college, training academy, and police department libraries. The price of the book, listed at; $32.75, might, however, discourage many individual buyers.

(Reprinted with permission form the Houston Police Department Academy, “Field Training Quarterly”, editor Frank M. Webb)

Book Review by Jack Molden

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The National Association of Field Training Officers

The concept of a national Field Training Officer association has been considered by many for several years. A survey conducted by the Field Training Quarterly magazine indicated a strong nationwide desire for an association. The dream has become reality thanks to the dedication of efforts of one of the Field Training Quarterly’s contributing writers.

(Reprinted with permission from the Houston Quarterly)

Mickey Bennett

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Improper Use of the Training Officer Program

The concept of field training recruit police officers has been around in the form of on the job training, mentoring or coaching for longer than most of us can remember. In its present FTO form, the concept has existed for 20 years, more or less.

Properly administered, a field training officer program is unquestionably one of the most effective management systems yet devised for training and evaluating recruit personnel. Problems occur, however, when the program is asked to do something for which is was not designed.

(Reprinted with permission from the Houston Quarterly)

Jack Molden

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Standardized for FTO Programs

A subject which is long past due for dis­cussion is the development of national standards for FTO programs. To my knowledge, there are virtually no uniform standards existing at this point in time. The only references of which I am aware are by 1) The National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Stand­ards and Goals who recommend at least one week of training for FTOs , and 2)The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, who re­quire the establishment of a FTO pro­gram, but go no further in establishing standards.

(Reprinted with permission from the Houston Quarterly)

Jack Molden

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The Role of the Training Officer

Training officer is a term we in law enforcement are very familiar with. Every police department has them. We all had one as a partner at the beginning of our careers and many of us have been one. What does the term really imply? What is the role of a training officer and what effect does he or she have on the trainee, the Department and the community?

(Reprinted with permission from the Houston Quarterly)

By Richard Elde, Los Angeles, (C.A.) PD

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Training Part Time Employees

Throughout the United States, police departments utilize part time employees for a variety of jobs. Often these employees are found in the records or dispatch section but they are not limited to these positions. In an attempt to stretch their budget and provide more service for less, departments have taken on part time employees or volunteers in every capacity.

These employees are oftentimes overlooked and receive only minimal training at best. While departments see this as a bonus by receiving more work hours for less money, the inadequate training of part time employees and volunteers can result in hefty legal settlements. In the long run, improper training of any departmental member may cost the department more then imagined. Departments need to change their philosophy of training non-standard employees to reflect the job that is performed and not the status of employment.

By Steven Kellams, Director, Indiana NAFTO

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The Art of Training

Most of us are aware that today's policing and community strategies are a blend of traditional reactive policing and newer proactive methods of solving identified social problems. About fourteen years ago, the administration in our department realized a need to improve the training of new officers. The San Jose Model Field Training Program was selected to accomplish this. Using problem solving as a major tool of community policing and law enforcement training itself serves as an enhancement to capitalize on the officer's reason for entering law enforcement in the first place, which is, "To help others". The Field Training Program has been designed to improve the overall quality of police officers for the City of Evansville by providing a method of evaluation and training to new officers.

By Gary Anderson, FTO Manager, Evansville Police Department

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The Importance of a 40 Hour FTO School

I must say that I was very skeptical about attending the 40-hour FTO School hosted by the Bloomington Police department. My first thought was why do I need to go and have someone tell me how to train other officers. I was a field-training officer before I attended the school. I had my own ideas and thoughts on how to train, so why go to this school.

By Shannon Bunger, FTO, Indiana University Police Department

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Reflections of the Member-at-Large

In December 2001, I was promoted to Sergeant in our patrol division. I was given the opportunity to become the manager of our FTO program. Our program had been put in place about 8 years ago with nothing updated since its inception. I decided to take a chance and commit myself to change our entire program. But how was I to do that? By chance, I saw an Indiana NAFTO conference was taking place at the Bloomington Police department, so I attended. I was overwhelmed by the amount of material available, AT LITTLE OR NO COST!

By Don Schmuhl, Member-at-Large Indiana NAFTO

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Compensation for Field Training Officers

One of the most common questions asked during a basic field training officer’s school is about compensation. Many new FTO’s and FTO managers are interested in the types of compensation offered by departments, and often compare the answers with their own programs. The idea of compensation for FTO’s has not always been looked at favorably by departments and often the FTO is overlooked.

In this article I will discuss the differences between compensation and incentive. I will also look at ways in which departments may compensate the FTO. Finally I will list several FTO programs throughout the state and describe their compensation packages.

By Steven Kellams, Director, Indiana NAFTO

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Using Microsoft Access to Track and Catalog Performance