Managing the FTO Program

This course focuses on the manager and supervisor’s responsibility for the administration and supervision of the field training and evaluation program and examines key areas of civil liability that every FTO manager should know.  Based on the nationally acclaimed San Jose Model, the class is packed with information which you can immediately apply towards building a stronger, more effective Field Training and Evaluation Program.

Specific attention will be focused on civil liability concerning the field training program, and you will be presented with a wide array of legal issues designed to "round-out" your FTO management skills.  We will examine the legal theories under which FTO's and their supervisors are brought into the civil liability spectrum and how to identify claims utilized against FTO programs.  In addition, you will learn defenses that can help protect your agency and ways to insulate the FTO program from civil liability exposure.
This program is designed for veteran and newly assigned FTO supervisors alike.  Mid-mangement personnel and administrators who desire to learn more about FTO programs will also benefit from attending this course.

Topics include:
•  The supervisor/manager’s FTO program responsibilities
•  FTO selection, retention, evaluation and incentives
•  FTO burnout
•  Program meetings and annual retraining
•  Trouble shooting your FTO program
•  FTO program policies, rules and regulations
•  Training liability theories and standards
•  Claims against the agency
•  How lawyers write lawsuits
•  Assorted defenses and protections
•  FTO specific illustrative cases
•  Insulating the Police Training Program

Prerequisite:  Students entering this advanced program should have prior experience as an FTO and be thoroughly familiar with the San Jose FTO program model and preferably have attended a basic FTO course.

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