POST-Approved Patrol Training Programs
Option 1:
Field Training Program (FTP)
Option 2:
Police Training Program (PTP)
Mental Health Attestation and Addendum
In 2015, Senate Bill 29 created Penal Code 13515.295, mandating that POST
shall by May 1, 2016, conduct a review and evaluation of the required
competencies of the Field Training Program (FTP) and Police Training Program
(PTP) to identify areas where additional training is necessary to better
prepare law enforcement officers to effectively address incidents involving
persons with a mental illness or intellectual disability.
Complete the
POST-Approved Field Training Program (FTP) or Police Training Program (PTP) Attestation form
(doc) and submit to POST to comply with new legislative requirements for
POST’s Field Training Program (FTP) or Police Training Program (PTP) per Penal
Code Sections 13515.295.
Overview
Agencies can select either the FTP or PTP POST-approved patrol training
programs. Both FTP and PTP facilitate a peace officer’s transition from the
Regular Basic Course (Academy), or custody
assignment, to performing general uniformed patrol duties. Each program
introduces newly-assigned peace officers to agency personnel, policies, and
procedures. Both programs provide initial formal and informal training
specific to the agency and to general day-to-day duties.
Patrol Training Goals
-
To produce competent peace officers capable of working a solo patrol
assignment in a safe, skillful, productive, and professional manner.
-
To provide standardized training to all newly-assigned regular officers in
the practical application of learned information.
-
To provide clear standards for rating and evaluation, giving all trainees
every reasonable opportunity to succeed.
-
To enhance the professionalism, job skills, and ethical standards within the
law enforcement community.
Approach
Each program offers unique and effective training methods to build competent
patrol officers who successfully complete the training programs:
-
Defensible / Fair - Each program achieves defensibility and
fairness by proper selection of training officers, a trainee feedback
mechanism, a comprehensive list of training tasks and goals, and a
standardized evaluation process.
-
Effective / Manageable - Each program is performance-based
and includes adequate documentation, minimum time completion requirements,
and competency specifications.
-
Adaptable / Flexible - Each program is adaptable to any
size or type of agency. The model guides provided by POST also afford
flexibility for agencies to incorporate agency-specific policies and
procedures.
When Choosing a Program
Both programs offer complete POST-approved guidelines in two volumes:
Each guide includes an extensive overview of the program’s phases, objectives,
performance standards, learning activities, and recommended forms for both
trainee and training personnel.
All forms are available online, including the
POST-Approved Field Training Application (2-229)
(pdf) and
Field Training Program Approval Checklist (2-230)
(pdf). See steps below on how to submit your completed guide.
The FTP program must be a minimum of 10 weeks. The PTP program is a minimum of
15 weeks. The table below compares the phase timelines and training personnel
for a 14-week FTP program and the 15-week PTP program:
FTP Model
Phase 1
|
Phase 2
|
Phase 3
|
Phase 4
|
Phase 5
|
Weeks 2-5
|
Weeks 6-9
|
Weeks 10-13
|
Week 14
|
Probation Period (Shadow Patrol)
|
See competency requirements by phase (Table 4.1 in FTP Guide)
|
FTO 1
|
FTO 2
|
FTO 3
|
FTO 1
|
PTP Model
Orientation
|
Phase A
|
Phase B
|
Midterm
|
Phase C
|
Phase D
|
Final Evaluation
|
Shadow Patrol
|
Week 1
|
Weeks 2-4
|
Weeks 5-7
|
Week 8
|
Weeks 9-11
|
Weeks 12-14
|
Week 15
|
Probation Period
|
Non-Emergency Incident
|
Emergency Incident
|
PTE (Evaluator)
|
Patrol Activities
|
Criminal Investigation
|
PTE
|
PTO 1
|
PTO 1
|
PTO 2
|
PTO 2
|
Regulations
POST regulations authorize agencies to choose one of the two Patrol Training
Programs. These programs are intended to be fair, effective, and flexible for
trainees as they perform in a rapidly changing law enforcement environment.
Steps to Submit Your Training Guide for Compliance
Upon completing your training guide according to the FTP or PTP guidelines,
agencies must submit their completed application package for POST approval:
-
Complete the required
POST-Approved Field Training Application (2-229)
(pdf). This
form attests that your agency meets the minimum standard requirements to
provide patrol training.
-
Submit a completed POST-Approved Field Training Application (2-229) (pdf) form AND a copy of your completed Manual
to POST as instructed.