The first big challenge for every police officer candidate is the completion of a rigorous and physically demanding Training Academy. Over the course of several months, the academy staff will push new recruits to their limits, both physically and academically. The standards are so high that not everyone survives to make it to graduation. Those that do are thoroughly trained, physically and mentally prepared for their next hurdle.Having learned the basic requirements during the academy, it then becomes the responsibility of the Field Training Officer to refine and polish the new officer’s skills.
The Field Training Officer teaches the new officer how to take all that he or she has learned in the academy, and apply it to real-life situations. Using a structured program that documents every phase of the new officer’s progress, the Field Training Officer trains, quizzes and evaluates the trainee on a continual basis. “Good enough” is never an acceptable standard, so the FTO ensures that the trainee steadily improves throughout the new officer’s training.
In addition to learning the skills necessary to work as a Patrol Officer, trainees are given several days of in-house training to familiarize themselves with handling traffic accidents, criminal investigations, dispatching, jail operations, canine deployment, gang suppression, vice and narcotics, Problem-Oriented Policing, and the collection of property and evidence. Only after the new officer demonstrates proficiency in all phases will he or she be released to work as a solo officer in Patrol.
The Buena Park Police Department is always happy to welcome new officers to the police department ‘family’.