Field Training and Evaluation Program Policy

Policy & Procedures                 No. 1.45
                                  Subject:
                   Field Training and Evaluation
               Program (FTEP)
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                       09/13/2015   9/15/2023
                                                                                 References:

 Review
 Revision   9/01/2017
 Reissued   12/13/2019
 Dates:     2/15/2022

CALEA STANDARDS
1.3.12   33.4.2
33.4.1   33.4.3
            _____________________________________________________________

Purpose     The mission of the Field Training and Evaluation Program is to prepare Officer in
               training to perform the essential duties of a police officer and to enhance the
              professionalism of police service through continuous quality improvement.

            The Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) is based on the nationally
              accepted “San Jose Model”. The program pairs a student officer with specially
               selected and trained Field Training Officers (FTO).

Policy         1. Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP)

                          a. New full-time officers must successfully complete an in-house field
                       training program.

                        b. Training Coordinator shall manage the Field Training Program and
                      oversee:  33.4.3 (d),(e),(f),(g)

                            1.  Training and in-service training of field training officers. This can
                         be accomplished with a documented meeting between the Training
                           Coordinator and the Field Training Officer(f);
                            2.  Rotation of recruit assignments(g); and
                            3.  Development, implementation and evaluation of the field training
                          program;
                            4. The Training Coordinator shall be the academy liaison, as
                              applicable(d).

             Canton Police Department’s Field Training and Evaluation Program  Page 1

c. Recruit Field Training

          1. Upon completion of the recruit academy, the officer will enter the
               field training/evaluation program with designated field training
               officers. The probationary officer will apply the lessons of the
           academy to situations in the field under the tutelage of the field
              training officer.

          2.  During field training, probationary officers shall receive training in
             department-specific materials, including: 33.4.1

                        a. Policies and procedures; and
                      b. Rules and Regulations

          The Training Officer and the Training Coordinator will review the
           above with each candidate. A Receipt Form will be filed to
           document issuance, receipt and instruction of the above. This will
           be completed before the officer works a shift on his/her own.

          3.  Each Probationary Officer will then begin a minimum four weeks
             on-the-job training/evaluation program with designated FTO’s.
             (This will not alter the one-year probationary period which all
           newly appointed full-time officers are required to serve in
             Massachusetts.)  33.4.3 (a)

          4. The Probationary Officer will have rotated his/her field training
            assignment among at least two different FTO’s. 33.4.3 (g)

          5. The FTO’s evaluation of the Probationary Officers shall be
            documented, with daily and weekly observation reports covering
             the wide range of police activities and interactions.  33.4.3 (h)(i)

          6. After the supervisory phase of field training, the evaluation
           program will continue through the use of periodic evaluations
               filled out by the probationary officer’s supervisors.

      d. Field Training Officers  33.4.3 (b)

           1. The Field Training Officers (FTO’s) will be selected by the Chief
             of Police based on the needs of the department and on the overall
              job-related qualifications of the prospective FTO. Candidates must
             possess a strong job knowledge and skills in the following areas:

                        a. Application of law;
                      b. Police Procedures;
                        c. Tactics;
                      d. Department policy and procedure;
                        e. Report writing;

Canton Police Department’s Field Training and Evaluation Program  Page 2

f. Interpersonal relations; and
                       g. Chain of command.

           2. FTO’s will require initial training at a 40 hour Field Training
           Officer’s Program sponsored by the Municipal Police Training
         Committee (MPTC) or equivalent and a refresher training every two-
           years. 33.4.3 (e) In addition, Annual In-Service Training will be
           required. This may constitute any instructional information being
          provided to veteran FTO’s to refresh them or may be a documented
         meeting with the FTO’s supervisor. 33.4.3 (f)

           3. All department supervisory personnel assigned to patrol, and
           officers designated as Field Training Officers, will conduct training in
          accordance with the “Police Department Field Training Officer’s
         Manual.”

           4. FTO’s will be under the operational supervision of the Shift
        Commander or other superior officer designated by the Chief.
                                                     33.4.3 (c)

           5. FTO’s will evaluate each recruit officer’s performance in the
          various activities that they will meet as police officers, according to
          guidelines set for the in the Field Training Program. 33.4.3 (h)

           6. FTO’s shall submit training reports to the Training Coordinator
          and/or Shift Commander as specified in the Field Training Program.
         Copies of these forms can be located on the I-Drive in the Field
          Training Officer folder.  33.4.3 (i)

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