POST-Approved Patrol Training Programs

Option 1: Field Training Program (FTP)

• Field Training Officer Video Scenarios

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:

FTP Guide	Volume 1: Overview and Appendices - FTP Guide Volume 2: POST Field Training Model
PTP Guide	Volume 1: Overview and Appendices - PTP Guide Volume 2: Training Workbook – All Phases

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:

1. 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.
2. Complete the Field Training Program Approval Checklist (2-230) (pdf) to specify your agency’s patrol training program and identify required content. This form is used by POST staff to verify the content.
3. Submit BOTH forms AND a copy of your completed guide to POST as instructed.
4. Your application package will be reviewed within 45 working days and notice will be sent regarding compliance status.

Note: Incomplete forms or training guides will be returned without processing.