HCSD — Standard Operating Procedures

417.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Field Training Officer Program is intended to provide a standardized program to facilitate the deputy’s transition from the academic setting to the actual performance of general law enforcement duties of the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department.

It is the policy of this office to assign all new sheriff's deputies to a structured Field Training Officer Program that is designed to prepare the new deputy to perform in a patrol assignment, and possessing all skills needed to operate in a safe, productive, and professional manner.

417.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER/SHERIFF'S CORPORAL - SELECTION AND TRAINING

The Field Training Officer (FTO) and Corporal (CPL) is an experienced deputy trained in the art of supervising, training, and evaluating entry level and lateral sheriff's deputies in the application of their previously acquired knowledge and skills.

417.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS

FTOs and CPL's will be selected based on the following requirements:

• Desire to be an FTO/CPL
• Minimum time-in-grade of general law enforcement uniformed patrol experience
• Demonstrated ability as a positive role model
• Participate and pass an internal oral interview selection process
• Evaluation by supervisors and current FTOs / CPL's
• Possess a POST Basic certificate

417.2.2 TRAINING

A deputy selected as a Field Training Officer/CPL shall successfully complete a POST certified (40-hour) Field Training Officer's Course prior to being assigned as an FTO/CPL. All FTOs / CPL's must complete a 24-hour Field Training Officer update course every three years while assigned to the position of FTO (11 CCR 1004).

All FTOs / CPL's must meet any training mandate regarding crisis intervention behavioral health training pursuant to Penal Code § 13515.28.

417.3 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM SUPERVISOR (FTO SERGEANT)

The FTO Program supervisor should be selected from the rank of sergeant or above by the Patrol Operations Division Commander or a designee and should possess, or be eligible to receive, a POST Supervisory Certificate.

The responsibilities of the FTO Program supervisor include the following:

• Assignment of trainees to FTOs/CPL's
• Conduct FTO meetings
• Maintain and ensure FTO/trainee performance evaluations are completed
• Maintain, update, and issue the Field Training Manual to each trainee
• Monitor individual FTO performance
• Monitor overall FTO Program
• Maintain liaison with FTO coordinators of other agencies
• Maintain liaison with academy staff on recruit performance during the academy
• Develop ongoing training for FTOs/CPL's
• Submit recommendations to the field training administrator The FTO Program supervisor will be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training Administrator's Course within one year of appointment to this position (11 CCR 1004(c)).

417.4 TRAINEE DEFINED

Any entry level or lateral sheriff's deputy newly appointed to the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department who has successfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy.

417.5 REQUIRED TRAINING

Entry level deputies shall be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training Program, consisting of a minimum of 10 weeks (Penal Code § 13515.295; 11 CCR 1004; 11 CCR 1005).

The training period for a lateral deputy may be modified depending on the trainee's demonstrated performance and level of experience. A lateral deputy may be exempt from the Field Training Program requirement if the deputy qualifies for an exemption as provided in 11 CCR 1005(a)(B).

To the extent practicable, entry level and lateral deputies should be assigned to a variety of Field Training Officers, shifts, and geographical areas during their Field Training Program.

417.5.1 FIELD TRAINING MANUAL

Each new deputy will be issued a Field Training Manual at the beginning of their Primary Training Phase. This manual is an outline of the subject matter and/or skills necessary to properly function as a deputy with the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department. The deputy shall become knowledgeable of the subject matter as outlined. They shall also become proficient with those skills as set forth in the manual.

The Field Training Manual will specifically cover those policies, procedures, rules, and regulations adopted by the Hartwell County Sheriff’s Department. The Field Training Manual should include standardized evaluation guidelines used by FTOs to evaluate a new deputy's performance.

417.6 EVALUATIONS

Evaluations are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as outlined below.

417.6.1 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER

The FTO will be responsible for the following:

• Complete and submit a written evaluation on the performance of their assigned trainee to the FTO Coordinator on a daily basis.
• Review the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations with the trainee each day.
• Complete a detailed end-of-phase performance evaluation on their assigned trainee at the end of each phase of training.
• Sign off all completed topics contained in the Field Training Manual, noting the method(s) of learning and evaluating the performance of their assigned trainee.

417.6.2 FIELD TRAINING DEPUTY

The Field Training Deputy shall review and approve the Daily Observation Report and forward them to the Field Training Administrator.

417.6.3 FIELD TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR

The Field Training Administrator will review and approve the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations submitted by the FTO through his/her immediate supervisor.

417.6.4 TRAINEE

At the completion of the Field Training Program, the trainee shall submit a confidential performance evaluation on each of their FTOs/CPL's and on the Field Training Program.

417.7 DOCUMENTATION

All documentation of the Field Training Program will be retained in the deputy's training files located in LEFTA and will consist of the following:

• Daily Observation Report
• End-of-phase evaluations
• Remedial Training Plans or Performance Improvement Plans
• A Certificate of Completion certifying that the trainee has successfully completed the required number of hours of field training

417.8 SHERIFF'S CORPORAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Sheriff's Corporal position shares many of the same duties and responsibilities as an FTO. Each Corporal will be expected to train Deputy Sheriff Recruits as needed and will be considered a first line supervisor in the absence of a Sergeant. Corporals may be scheduled as the Officer in Charge (OIC) for shifts when the assigned Sergeant is ill or has scheduled time off.

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