FTEP Structure and Details

Question 1

How many weeks does the LVMPD Field Training Program consist of?

Answer 1

The FTEP process is a 19-week progression of structured training.

Question 2

How many phases is Field Training separated into?

Answer 2

The FTEP Program is split into two phases of training with the final weeks of each phase containing a transitional period into the next phase or end of program.

Question 3

How many weeks do New Officers spend with each FTO during Phase 1?

Answer 3

Each new officer will be assigned to a new FTO every three weeks during phase 1. They will be assigned to a minimum of three FTO’s during phase 1.

Question 4

What is the first week of each phase commonly called?

Answer 4

The first week of FTEP is a “Limbo Period” during which the New Officer is introduced to his new surroundings without the stress of evaluation. The second Phase starts with a whole non-eval week as well.

Question 5

What is significant about the first day with a new FTO during FTEP?

Answer 5

The first day with a new FTO is called a Familiarization Day and is not graded, regardless of which phase the New Officer is in.

Question 6

How many weeks will a New Officer NOT be allowed to drive during the beginning of the FTEP Program?

Answer 6

A New Officer will NOT be allowed to drive for the first TWO weeks of the program. Following this standard period, it will be up to the FTO and FTO Sergeant to evaluate the ability of the New Officer to handle the driving tasks.

Question 7

What percentage of the time is it encouraged that the New Officer drive during the time after the first three weeks?

Answer 7

It is encouraged that the New Officer be driving at least 50% of the time after the first three weeks of the program.

Question 8

What is the third cycle of the program called?

Answer 8

The third cycle of the program is called the “Mandatory Intensive Training” cycle.

Question 9

What is significant about the Mandatory Intensive Training portion of Phase I?

Answer 9

During the Mandatory Intensive Training portion of Phase I, FTO’s are expected to provide Intensive Training or Training Enhancements in the areas where the New Officer needs improvement. There is no “Mandatory Intensive Training” period in Phase II.

Question 10

What happens as Phase II begins for New Officers?

Answer 10

At the start of Phase II New Officers are assigned to a new squad at the same area command for Phase II of FTEP.

Question 11

How many shifts will a New Officer ride solo during “Solo Beat” status?

Answer 11

During Solo Beat, New Officers are expected to ride alone a minimum of two shifts each week, with more being at the discretion of the supervisor.

Question 12

What conditions must be met prior to a New Officer entering Solo Beat?

Answer 12

CRITICAL TASKS COMPLETE, PROFICIENT, SIGNATURE OF FINAL FTO, CHAIN APPROVAL

1. All areas in the Critical Task Book have been instructed and reviewed.
2. The New Officer has demonstrated proficiency in all critical performance areas and his/her performance is consistent.
3. The signature of the FTO appears on the final DOR prior to entering Solo Beat status and indicates that the New Officer is ready to begin to patrol alone.
4. The chain of command agrees that the New OFficer is ready to operate as a solo unit.

Question 13

What is the decision to extend an officer based upon?

Answer 13

The decision to extend an officer is based on demonstrated performance, amount of improvement, and consistency of progress being made.

Question 14

During solo beat, and FTO is expected to not interfere with the New Officers’s performance except under what circumstances?

Answer 14

1. Physical Danger is Imminent.
2. To Avoid Embarrassment to the New Officer or The Department.
3. Illegal or unacceptable conduct.

Question 15

What will occur when the FTO believes the New Officer is ready to be released from field training?

Answer 15

The FTO will recommend release from FTEP to his Sergeant whom will coordinate with the field training office the release of the officer.

Question 16

What are two of the most important issues in Field Training?

Answer 16

The two most important issues are:

1. The working relationship between the New Officer and the Field Training Officer.
2. The consistency and uniformity of the program itself.

Question 17

What are the Phase Tests and how many are given?

Answer 17

New Officers must pass Three phases tests.

1. Critical Task Book Test (Week 7)
2. Criminal Elements Test (Week 10)
3. Critical Procedures Test (Week 15)

Question 18

What is the nature of the Distribution of Workload as it relates to the New Officer

Answer 18

As a New Officer moves through the program, his/her responsibilities increase and the FTO’s workload steadily decreases.

Question 19

What is Cycle Training and How many Cycles are within the Phases of FTEP?

Answer 19

Cycle Training is a standardized application method used to create the “Building Block” nature of FTEP. FTEP is broken into 5 cycles and each cycle contains the SEG’s focus of the most important ones followed by those built upon them.

Question 20

What is The Law of Motivation?

Answer 20

For almost any learning to take place there must be some motivation, need, or desire to learn on the part of the learner. A person with no desire whatsoever to learn a task is not likely to learn it very well.

Question 21

What is The Law of Reward (Effect)?

Answer 21

We tend to learn those things which lead to some reward. Recognition, credit, and early successes are strong incentives for learning. Conversely, we tend not to learn those things which lead to punishment or have no effect at all.

Question 22

What is The Law of Readiness or Set?

Answer 22

We learn best and fastest if we are prepared … set to learn. Ideally, learning is most effective when we are physically set (eyes or ears open and working) and mentally set (interested in the topic, convinced of its importance, and enthusiastic about it).

Question 23

What is The Law of Meaningfulness?

Answer 23

Employees learn more easily those things which make some sense to them in terms of what is expected on the job. Tasks which do not seem to mean anything or do not relate to other tasks are unlikely to be learned well. Knowledge of purpose, use, and application of training techniques makes learning more effective.

Question 24

What is The Law of Association?

Answer 24

We learn new things in terms of what is already familiar to us. Learning is extremely difficult when we can not associate the new knowledge with something we already know.

Question 25

What is The Law of Simplicity?

Answer 25

In general (but not always) people learn better when the instruction is given in an orderly manner, one easy step at a time, rather than all at once.

Question 26

What is The Law of Application?

Answer 26

Learning results from stimulation of the senses. The most effective learning involves some application and the ability to relate the activity to past experience. (A verbal discussion is not normally sufficient)

Question 27

What is The Law of Feedback?

Answer 27

People learn best when they know how well they are doing at learning a new job task. Unless you know what mistakes you are making, it is hard to make improvements.

Question 28

What is The Law of Repetition?

Answer 28

The most effective learning results when initial learning is followed by immediate application and then by repetition to get feedback and to stimulate improvement.