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POST-Approved Field 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 performance of general uniformed patrol duties. Each program introduces newly-assigned peace officers to agency personnel, policies, and procedures. Both programs provide formal and informal training regarding agency-specific 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 law enforcement personnel.
  • To provide clear standards for training and evaluation while giving all trainees every reasonable opportunity to succeed.
  • To enhance the professionalism, job skills, and ethical standards of the law enforcement community.

Approach

Each program offers unique and effective training methods to build competent patrol officers who successfully complete the training programs. Each program is:

  • Defensible / Fair - The programs achieve defensibility and fairness by utilizing a proper selection of peace officers.  This includes a trainee feedback mechanism, a comprehensive list of training tasks and goals, and a standardized evaluation process.
  • Effective / Manageable - Both programs adequately document performance-based training, utilizing minimum time completion requirements and competency specifications.
  • Adaptable / Flexible - Each program is adaptable to any size or type of agency. The POST models offer 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). 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 provides an example comparing the phase timelines and required training personnel for a 14-week FTP program and the 15-week PTP program. Please note, FTO order is at the discretion of each agency.

Regulations

POST Regulations 1004 and 1005 authorize agencies to choose one of the two 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

Once an agency completes their training guide according to the FTP or PTP guidelines, they must submit their completed application and materials via email to POST for approval. Send to the contact(s) listed on the right side of this webpage.

  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. Submit your Department Procedures.
  3. Complete and submit Volume I.
  4. Complete and submit Volume II - Sections 1-17, and 18 if applicable.