UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Reorganizing the Field Training Program for the 21st Century

Steve Pendergrass

June 2001

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Introduction

• “Socialize them yourself or someone else will”

• Socialize them correctly while you have the chance, or take the chance that someone else will socialize them inconsistent with Department goals and values.

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Where Socialization Begins

• Training Academy

• FTProgram

• Failure to provide best training and socialization in both programs results in officers who provide less than peak ability and commitment to community.

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Problem and Analysis

• Two basic problems face the FTProgram

• FTPCoordinator has no control over program

• No FTProgram Support Staff

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Failure to Understand the Program

• None of top or mid-level administrators participated in San Jose model program currently in use

• Few patrol Sergeants served as FTOs under current program

• Result is lack of understanding of needs and goals of the current FTProgram

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Most Patrol Supervisors …

• View the FTProgram as a nuisance they must contend with

• Fail to understand why program is important to Department

• Commanders feel they can train rookies better themselves

• Adherence to FTProgram varies from Area Command-to-Area Command

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

San Jose Model

• San Jose Model FTProgram adopted in early 1990s

• APD continues to use patrol to administer this program

• Administration fails to completely understand needs of program

• Use of patrol to administer program will never result in proper emphasis of training

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Need for a FTProgram Staff

• FTProgram is a high maintenance training program

• Program must be kept current with…– Dept. policy changes– Academy Training– Tactical and patrol

procedures– Etc.

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

FTPCoordinator

• Only one person currently assigned to administer program– Keep up in changes in

Department

– Changes in Academy instruction

– Monitor PPOs

– Train new FTOs

– Maintain program records, etc.

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Response

• FTProgram reorganized to an autonomous unit of Training Division

• Training Station concept established

• Number of FTOs reduced & supplemented by FTO Alternates

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

FTProgram Organization

C ad et A cad em yL ieu ten an t

In -S erviceL ieu ten an t

F TO S ta ffF TO s

F TO s P P O s

Tra in in g S ta tionS erg ean ts

F TO s P P O s

Tra in in g S ta tionS erg ean ts

F TO s P P O s

Tra in in g S ta tionS erg ean ts

F ie ld Tra in in g P rog ramL ieu ten an t

Tra in in g D ivis ionC om m an d er

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Advantages

• Planning• FTOs used as trainers

– Academy

– In-Service

– Show-Ups

• No additional cost to Department

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

• Sgts supervise FTOs and PPOs directly in field– Sgts familiar with

FTProgram and its needs

– Personally able to monitor PPO progress

– FTOs not performing up to program standards can be removed from program

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

• PPOs remain assigned to Training Division for duration of FTProgram– Easier to reassign to

different FTOs when needed

– Can be reassigned to Academy for remedial training

• Transferred to patrol bureau when released to single car status

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Commanders Retain Effective Control Over Quality of Program

• Board made up of Area Commanders

• Allows Commanders to judge quality of product turned out by Academy and FTProgram

• Places pressure on PPOs and FTOs

• Success or failure of PPOs reflection of trainer’s personal and professional capabilities

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Equal Commitment to FTProgram

• FTProgram must have a staff in order to keep up with maintenance of program

• Mesa P.D. - 750-officer department– 7-officer FTProgram staff

– 2 civilians

• APD cannot hope to maintain current quality or increase future quality with only one person to maintain the program

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Assessment

• Use current Field Training Program Critique

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Assessment

• Free-form graph which sets out goals and planned accomplishments for a 3-year period

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

THREE YEAR PRACTICAL VISION

TOWARD MODERN PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY

IMPROVEMENT

TOWARD EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY

TOWARD IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Expand Support

Functions

Efficiency Through

Technology

Program Quality Improvement Quality Training Enhanced Career

Development

Information Sharing

(Internal & External)

FTO Administrative Sergeant  1 FTO Administrative Officer per 25 OITs  FTO Unit vehicles  FTO Program Computer

Vehicle Mounted Video Cameras (4)  FTO Forms on Computer Network  Laptops training for recruits in the Academy

Report Writing Skills Development Streamline Paperwork/ FormsComply with CALEA StandardsOIT assignment to Districts Testing process for FTO selectionOIT/DUI Task ForcesTraffic FTOs

Patrol lieutenants included in program NAFTO TeamFTO Effectiveness Team (CQI)OIT input into Program DevelopmentEstablish OIT Performance ObjectivesAnnual review of Program componentsUpdate PAF inserts for FTOs/FTO Sergeants

Training Program for FTOs/Supervisors Advanced FTO TrainingArizona POST Instructor and HGN certification for FTOsEstablish FTO Training BudgetMesa FTO School Arizona POST approved

5% pay for FTOs during entire 18 week training cycle NAFTO membership for FTOsRepresentation at the State and National NAFTO Conventions5:3 FTO/OIT ratioEvaluate FTO Incentive ProgramTake home car for FTOsRotate FTOs through special assignments between classes

Regular meetings with Hiring & Academy   Organize & establish an Arizona  State NAFTO Chapter

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Assessment

• Time Line graph which sets out specific times when certain phases of new program should be accomplished or implemented

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

Conclusion

• Level of commitment by Administration dictates how well recruits will be socialized into the Department

• Degree of commitment provided by Department to socialize its new officers will determine the degree of success those new officers will have in providing quality service to the citizens of Austin

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

• That quality of service will determine how the Austin Police Department is perceived both at home and in the nation

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

“Socialize them yourself,

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

or someone else will.”

UT – APD West Point Leadership Program

The End