After graduation from the academy, new officer(s) will be assigned to a Field Training Officer, or F.T.O. The Field Training Program with the Jacksonville Police Department is fourteen weeks, divided up into four phases. During the first phase, the probationary officer is assigned to his or her primary FTO where they become acquainted with the department and city, learn personal responsibilities of a police officer, use of force, firearms, control and arrest tactics, handcuffing, blood borne pathogens, roll call procedures, patrol vehicle inspection, voice and data communications, emergency vehicle operation, community policing, patrol techniques, transporting suspects, field searches, arrest mechanics, police report writing, interviewing and interrogating, investigative division, packaging and sealing evidence, and in progress event response, locations of streets, policy and procedure, and similar tasks. After four weeks, the probationary officer then rotates to a new Field Training Officer. |
In phase II, new officers learn about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, how to respond to alarms, traffic and felony stop procedures, parking enforcement, vehicle immobilization, traffic law enforcement, traffic accident investigation, motorist assists, traffic direction, towing vehicles, arrest processing, lock-up procedures, court testimony, court procedures, property crimes, financial crimes, person investigations, juvenile procedures, school resource officers, and missing persons. After completing the second four weeks, the probationary officer is then placed with a third Field Training Officer. |
| Phase III instructions incorporates domestic violence, intervention, victim and witness assistance, disturbances, civil calls, loud noises, warrant service, notices to appear, summons, city ordinance enforcement, gang enforcement and familiarization, narcotic enforcement, mutual aid, assisting fire department, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, bomb threats, crowd control, special events, animal complaints, dealing with hearing impaired, disabled, and homeless citizens, death investigations, crime prevention, community and media relations, departmental awards and discipline, evaluations, career development and ongoing training. After the 12th week, the probationary officer is then reassigned to their primary Field Training Officer for "shadow phase". |
Shadow Phase is designed to last a minimum of 10 days. During shadow phase, the probationary officer is responsible for handling 100% of the workload demands while the FTO observes and documents the probationary officers performance. The purpose of the shadow phase is to afford the probationary officer the opportunity to provide patrol service in a "Solo Patrol" fashion. Meanwhile, the FTO gauges the probationers readiness and capability to provide solo patrol services in a courteous, safe, effective and efficient manner. Once a probationary officers readiness has been established, they are released on their own for solo patrol. |
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