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Background
Patrol Division Field Training andEvaluation Program
Caddo Parish Sheriff Don Hathaway today recognized the efforts of the first 11 deputies to complete the new Patrol Division Field Training and Evaluation Program. The Sheriff also recognized the eight deputies who serve as Field Training Officers (FTOs).
At brief graduation ceremonies today, Sheriff Hathaway lauded the new patrol deputies for the 560 hours each of them spent in training, plus countless hours of personal study time. The Honorable James E. Stewart, Sr., of the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, was the guest speaker for the graduation.
Modeled after similar programs in use by several other progressive law enforcement agencies nationwide, the Patrol Division Field Training Program was adopted last August after eight months of development. The FTOs instruct the trainees in criminal laws, traffic laws, parish ordinances and Sheriff's Office policies and procedures.
In the 14-weeks of training, the FTOs expose the trainees to nearly every conceivable kind of call, either through practical experience or in-depth discussion. The trainees are evaluated daily and take weekly written exams.
In the final two weeks of the program, the trainee is expected to perform as a solo deputy, with the FTO acting only as an evaluator. Before being released as a solo deputy, the trainee must pass a comprehensive written exit exam. The trainees receive monthly evaluations from their shift supervisors for the first nine months following their field training.
While not all trainees successfully complete the program, commented Field Training Supervisor Sgt. John Fourcade, "the advantages are readily apparent. New patrol deputies are better trained, more knowledgeable and, as a result, are more confident in their own abilities. These new patrol deputies are prepared to meet the challenges they will face daily."
After recognizing the new patrol deputies, Sheriff Hathaway commended the FTOs for their tireless dedication to excellence. Calling the FTOs the "backbone of the program," the Sheriff said their "job is enormous. The FTO must be a supervisor, trainer, evaluator, counselor and mentor, as well as an authoritative resource for all aspects of patrol."
"The dedication and professionalism of the FTOs contributes significantly to the success of the Field Training Program," Sheriff Hathaway said.
(From 1994-95 Annual Report)
Through its Field Training Officer Program, the Patrol Division has provided in-depth on-the-job training for 19 new patrol deputies. The Sheriff's Office Assessment Center has identified more qualified candidates for transfer into the Patrol Division and has resulted in a 100 percent successful completion rate for deputies transferring into the division.
A great amount of time and effort was put into the development of a new Field Training and Evaluation Program. This more-structured and better-organized program, which is similar to those used in many other progressive law enforcement agencies in the U.S. today, allows the Patrol Division to produce more knowledgeable and competent deputies.