National Association of Field
Training Officers
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! I took
The result was a much needed updating of our entire field training system including a new FTO manual, Probationary Officers manual, new Daily Observation reports, new weekly and Phase reports. We now have Phase Orientated training briefs, and Phase Oriented Tasks. We recently went to an automated system and was able to share that with another department. Our FTO’s have attended a 40 hour NAFTO training course at a price that is a fraction of the cost compared to other courses. I have been able to meet and network with many NAFTO members about their field training units. I could not have completed this task without the assistance from NAFTO.
If your field training program is in need of a boost, look to Indiana NAFTO. Whether you work in a municipal police, county police, or a university police department, NAFTO will work for you.
The Indiana University Police Field Training Unit is here to assist any department with their field training program, and, if you work for a university police department, do your department a favor and join NAFTO. IUPD is here to assist you with your field training program whether starting a new one or just updating your current program.
Don Schmuhl
FTO Manager, Indiana University Police Department