Field Training Officer
Quality & Excellence In Criminal Justice Training
FTO Training

This training course is for the Field Training
Officer.  The field training program for an
agency is one of the most important training
programs an agency maintains.  The lack of a
training program, a substandard program or a
poorly run program can cost an agency
millions of dollars in civil suits, loss of good
personnel and the loss of a previously
untarnished reputation.  A well trained FTO
force in conjunction with a well run program will
help protect an agency from civil suits
originating from within and without the agency.  
Recommendation Of Training

The prevention begins by eliminating problems before they occur.  In 1965 the omnibus
crime control act recommended that law enforcement agencies have a training program.  
The national accreditation by Creditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CLEA) requires an
FTO program for accreditation.  In addition The International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP) also recommends an FTO program for training new personnel.  An FTO program is a
must for all law enforcement agencies.  

The  National Standard

The program model presented by APTAC follows the program model originated by the San
Jose Police Department in 1972 and has become the national standard.  The development
of this program was a response to a law suit against the city of San Jose California, in 1968,
for the lack of training where a police officer killed a citizen in a traffic accident.  The
program that was developed by San Jose has become the model for field training programs
across the country.  The program presented by APTAC is the same model that has been
taught and used across the country since it was implemented in 1972 in San Jose California.
 The program has been court tested and is ADA and EEOC defensible.

THE INSTRUCTOR

The instructor, John Bowden, presents this course with a combined total  of 30 years
experience in law enforcement and law enforcement training.  He was one of the original
Field Training Officers involved in the implementation of the current Orlando FL Police
Department  FTO program.  He brings to the table his training experience as an FTO, an
FTO supervisor, a police academy coordinator and a consultant to FTO programs.  John
has trained FTOs and consulted on training programs across the United States.  John has
developed, written and implemented an FTO program from the ground up.  One such
program is estimated to save the state of Oklahoma over ½ million dollars a year in training
costs.  John is able to answer student questions with the authority and experience of being
involved in field training from FTO, to program developer to training coordinator.  

COURSE OVERVIEW
History Of The FTO Program
An historical perspective of the program
describing the civil cases that acted as a
catalyst to the development of the
program and the impact on today’s law
enforcement.  

Structure Of FTO Training
A detailed blueprint of the field training
schedule from hiring to probation with a
detailed description of each phase and
its purpose within the program

The Philosophy of The FTO Program
A description of the eight philosophies
that govern the successful operation of
an effective FTO program.

Changing Behavior
Learn how to identify the cause of
unacceptable behavior in trainees and
use positive and effective techniques to
make changes in that behavior.



Communications
A description of the dynamics of
interpersonal communications, and how
to use the knowledge of communications
to provide feedback to the trainee in an
effective manner.

Presentation Techniques
This section explains how to develop
techniques to effectively teach the
trainee with a minimum of effort in the
shortest period possible.



Program Documentation
This course will discuss and demonstrate
the proper use of the FTO program
documentation and procedures; a critical
component of the FTO program.
Rating The Trainee & Writing Reports
This course presents the 7 point “Lichert
Scale” for rating trainees.  The use of this
scale has proven to be legally defensible in
law enforcement training.  The participants
will learn how to write detailed, accurate
reports in conjunction with and in support of
the trainee’s ratings.

Dynamics of Adult Learning
This block discusses the dynamics of human
learning, how the human system receives,
filters, translates, stores and ultimately uses
information.  This will enable the participant
to be a more effective teacher.



Coaching, Counseling
This block will discuss and demonstrate the
proper techniques to move the trainee to an
effective level of competency. The
participant will learn how to modify behavior
by proper training techniques, coaching and
counseling.

Legal Defensibility
Using real cases, this course will present the
elements that make this program legally
defensible.



Liability & Training
This course will explain the liability of
training and the vicarious responsibility of
the FTO, supervisors and ultimately the
agency.  This course will present techniques
to avoid situations that will subject an
agency to civil suits for training liability.

Termination of Trainees
With the study of real cases, the participant
will learn the problems that can be caused
by the termination of a trainee; how to
deliver the message, and the steps to take
to avoid possible violence.  

This Course Is
Available In
Lengths Of
40 Hours

All Training
Materials Are
Included

A Professional
Certificate Is
Issued With
Each Course

FTO Master Trainer

Nov 10 Thru Nov 21
2008

Learn To Teach The
FTO Training Course

Includes
Instructor Manual
Student Manual
Power Point
Presentation
FTO Forms
&
Everything To Teach
The FTO Course

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