Education
The Field Training Officer Program, also known as FTO, is our topic of the day, and this is something every law enforcement officer has to go through right out of the academy. These programs can last from a couple of weeks to 4 months. It all depends on the department and your level of expertise when entering the program. The FTO programs teach you everything; from policies to advanced tactics and everything in between. I am a field training officer, so my goal today is to provide tips to rookies who are going through the program so they can have an easier time. I’m also going to discuss traffic stops and show you how I do it. Common Rookie Mistakes To Avoid 1. Not listening to the radio. Rookies need to pay attention to call signs; if you don’t respond, dispatch will send officers to see if you’re okay. 2. Jumping to conclusions. You need to listen to the whole story and pay attention to physical evidence when you’re dealing with people so you can make good choices. 3. Not having your equipment ready. Always be prepared and make sure your equipment is functional! 4. Dealing with issues when you’re off duty. Forget your badge when you’re off duty unless someone’s life is in danger. 5. Not knowing the law. You need to read your state penal code and be familiar with it. 6. Not knowing the traffic code. 7. Not knowing case law and its applications. Make sure you study case law and stay on top of the updates. 8. Failure to study policy. If you don’t learn and apply your department’s policy, you will get in trouble, and it will go on your record. 9. Talking on the radio. Keep your radio talk short and to the point! 10. Taking everything personal. Everyone’s going to give you a hard time during your training, but that’s part of it. FTOs want to see you succeed, so they’re going to push you; don’t take it personally. If you want to hear more tips, make sure you listen to my above! Traffic Stops: How To Do It Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things you’ll do out there because you’re mainly walking into the unknown. That’s why it’s essential to know your traffic stop basics and tactical approaches! The first thing you need to do in a traffic stop is to leave a space of the length of two cars between your patrol car and the suspect’s vehicle. Also, make sure you angle your vehicle 20 degrees to either side when you pull over; this will allow you to use the patrol as protection if need be. I prefer to approach traffic stops from the passenger side, so if you want to know how it works, make sure you watch the complete episode below, where I share visual presentations and explain my approach step by step. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc8W7W0G7ho