Field Training Officers: Building Our Future Department Today

One of the most critical elements to the success of our police department is the training and indoctrination to our standards of ethics and excellence that new officers or public safety aides receive when they enter the field training program. A positive outcome in this area is predicated on the skills and commitment of our Field Training Officers.

Lakeland PD concluded a week-long FTO school on Friday that was designed to bring our training officers together (both new and old) to discuss methods of training, standards of excellence, and to brainstorm how to get the most valuable learning out of a new officer's time in training. Over 20 of our trainers, both police officers and public safety aides, participated in the training that focused on each trainer's responsibility to the community, the department, and the new officers/aides.

Led by Lt. Joe Henson, the school included classroom instruction, a visit by a U.S. Marine Corp Sergeant to discuss importance of leadership, a baseball coach to talk about teamwork, and break-out sessions to problem solve challenging scenarios that training officers face on a daily basis. Sgt. Chuck Nissen, Sgt. Ed Cain, and others helped with the training sessions over the past five days. Lt. Sammy Taylor is the overall coordinator of the FTO program.

While trying not to sensationalize the matter, it cannot be over-emphasized how important our training officers are to our success. We are most appreciative of their willingness to take on the additional responsibilities that comes with being a training officer. The extra work associated with training new employees can be both stressful and rewarding - here's to their devotion to building our future department by preparing today's recruits through our Field Training Program.

-Asst Chief Bill LePere