SPD refines FTO program

The Field Training Officer program at the Sheridan Police Department has been reevaluated by the leadership and is currently undergoing changes. 

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Sheridan Police Department Chief Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley spoke on initial and ongoing training of the force.

The SPD Chief said training is an ongoing process for every member of law enforcement as standards and practices evolve. 

Chief T. Koltiska 

According to Captain Ringley, the SPD Field Training Officer program’s goal is to provide a strong base for newly hired trainees in the department to build their skill levels so they may provide the best possible service to the citizens of Sheridan.

For 25 years, the SPD has used the San Jose Model – named for the city of its origin – as a base for the FTO program. This training program consists of three phases, each lasting four weeks and a single two week phase. Although the model has served the department for a quarter of a century and does have many benefits, SPD leadership has identified some areas they have chosen to improve, working to ensure time in training is more effective and efficient.  

With the older system, some tasks related to specific types of investigations may not be encountered during the training period or first year of service. Tasks are discussed in classroom settings when time permits, which may be early in the morning when cognitive functions are not prime.  

Under the newly refined FTO program, statute, policy and case law review information will be presented in a classroom environment at the beginning of each phase. Training will ensure the most common calls for service are addressed thoroughly.

The number of tasks will be reduced. For instance, the different types of investigations ranging from dispute to aggravated assault will be consolidated. 

The refined training is focused on processes. Ringley said an investigation is an investigation; gathering evidence and training to follow all the leads are key to a good thorough investigation despite the nature of the offense. Training will focus on knowing and applying these processes and practices.

Corporals will primarily be field training officers instead of line officers. Major investigations and scene processing are conducted by a detective or senior officer. A new officer will not be assigned a homicide investigation, so the FTO program will save time by focusing on the basics.

In other areas of the nation and in the case of many branches of the military, the teacher to student ratio can be high. With a smaller ratio, lessons are remembered and more efficient, shortening the amount of time needed to properly train a task. 

Capt. T. Ringley  

As the refined FTO program is integrated into the training of Sheridan police officers, leadership feels this will save time and resources, giving new officers a better understanding of policies, procedures and tasks they will face in their first few years. Allowing them to train to a higher standard and not train to time.

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