G6.2.2 Field Training
Chapter: Chapter 06: Training and Professional Development
Sub-Chapter: 6.2 - Initial Training
Effective Date: 08/31/2023
Revised Date: 08/31/2023
Rescinds: None
Purpose
To describe the Indiana University Police Department’s (IUPD) field training programs for sworn and non-sworn personnel.
General Order
The IUPD will assign all newly hired sworn patrol officers to a structured field training program after completion of an Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board Tier I Basic Course (pursuant to Indiana Code 5-2-1-1). The IUPD will assign all newly hired non-sworn security officers to an on-the-job training program after the completion of their onboarding and initial training.
The field and on-the-job training programs are designed to provide new police and security officers with on-the-job experiences. In addition, these programs assist personnel in acquiring all the skills needed to perform their duties in a safe, productive, and professional manner. All newly hired police and security officers will not be released for solo patrol until the training requirements are satisfactorily completed. Those who do not successfully complete the training requirements will not be allowed to continue in the role and may be subject to termination.
Cadet Officer Program (COP) participants will participate in a separate structured field exposure program after completion of the Indiana University Police Academy (IUPA).
Supervision of the field training program (6.2.2 a)
The director for professional standards and education is responsible for overseeing IUPD’s field training program. The director for professional standards and education will designate an IUPD field training coordinator (IUPD FTC) who will directly manage the field training program across all IUPD divisions.
Each IUPD division chief of police, in consultation with the IUPD FTC and director for professional standards and education, will identify a division field training coordinator (DFTC) and may assign a field training manager (FTM). DFTCs will hold the rank of sergeant or above.
The DFTC is responsible for coordinating the field training operations at their respective division working at the direction of the IUPD FTC. The DFTC’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assigning probationary officers to field training officers, monitoring the progress of the probationary officers, generating end program summaries, and evaluating field training officers. The DFTC may also perform the responsibilities listed for the FTM.
The FTM is responsible for executing the daily responsibilities of the program under the direction of the DFTC. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, reviewing the daily observation reports, preparing weekly and end phase summaries, and meeting with the probationary officer to discuss the reports and their progress within the program.
The field training officers (FTO) are responsible for the daily training, documentation, and evaluation of the probationary officer assigned to them. FTOs work under the direction of the FTM and/or the DFTC.
Specified time period for training (6.2.2 b)
The field training program for sworn officers is divided into phases. Successful completion of each phase is required for the probationary officer to continue into the next phase.
Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC) is between 40 and 80 hours depending on the specific needs of the probationary officer and the requirements of their division. During this phase, the probationary officer will receive an introduction to the field training program, the probationary officer manual, and training designed to prepare the probationary officer for tasks commonly performed in a patrol function.
Observation is a total of 40 hours and consists of the probationary officer observing the patrol shift activities of an FTO or another full-time police officer if an FTO is not available.
Phase One is a 160-hour minimum phase taught over the course of at least four (4) weeks. If the probationary officer does not pass phase one after the fourth week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Two is a 160-hour minimum phase taught over the course of at least four (4) weeks. If the probationary officer does not pass phase two after the fourth week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Three is a 160-hour minimum phase taught over the course of at least four (4) weeks. If the probationary officer does not pass phase three after the fourth week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Four is an 80-hour minimum phase taught over the course of at least two (2) weeks. If the probationary officer does not pass phase four after the second week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Shadow Phase is an 80-hour minimum phase taking place over the course of at least two (2) weeks. If the probationary officer is unable to complete shadow phase with acceptable performance, they will not be recommended to be released from the field training program.
Although each phase of the program has a designated time period for completion, DFTC may request the time periods be extended or accelerated. Extension requests must include documentation on the need for an extension and the associated training plan to address the performance deficiency. Acceleration requests must contain sufficient documentation to justify the request for an accelerated time period.
Extension and acceleration requests will be submitted to the IUPD FTC who will decide if an extension or acceleration recommendation should be forwarded to the director for professional standards and education. The director for professional standards and education may approve or deny the request. A program approved for an acceleration time period will not shorten the program to fewer than six (6) weeks.
Selection and training criteria for field training officers (6.2.2 c)
All FTO selection processes are conducted after consultation with the IUPD FTC and the director for professional standards and education and approval from the deputy superintendent for public safety.
The selection process for field training officers will follow the process described under the special assignments section of G5.2.1 Selection Processes. To be eligible to participate in this selection process, officers should have a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a full-time law enforcement officer and will be in good standing with the university. In the event of a critical need, officers may have less than two (2) years of experience to be eligible to participate in the field training officer selection process. If a critical need exists, the division chief of police will notify the director for professional standards and education and the deputy superintendent for public safety who will evaluate the need and make a determination.
Newly selected FTOs will complete an IUPD approved instructor development course and a field training officer school as soon as reasonably practicable, generally within one (1) year of appointment. In the event of a critical need, newly selected FTOs may begin training probationary officers prior to completion of these training courses; however, they must complete the IUPD Field Training Pre-School and the training course covering documentation procedures prior to acting in the role of an FTO.
Specific performance criteria (6.2.2 d)
Probationary officer performance is evaluated using five (5) general performance categories:
- critical performance tasks,
- frequent performance tasks,
- knowledge,
- relationships and attitudes, and
- appearance.
These five (5) performance categories are divided into twenty-five (25) total sub-categories in which the FTOs evaluate the performance of probationary officers. This evaluation is rated on a scale of 1-5. A rating of 1 or 2 is considered unacceptable performance. A rating of 3 is acceptable. A rating of 4 or 5 is considered superior performance. The Field Training Manual contains the standardized evaluation guidelines that are used to ensure consistency in evaluation.
Daily written evaluations (6.2.2 e)
The FTO will document the performance of probationary officers for each shift using the Daily Observation Report (DOR) within the IUPD’s approved documentation software. The probationary officer will review and sign off on the DOR. DORs are also reviewed by the DFTC or FTM for final approval.
Process used to evaluate field training officers (6.2.2 f)
The DFTC will evaluate all FTOs at their division. This evaluation is to ensure that all requirements and expectations for FTOs as described in the Field Training Officer Manual are met. FTOs will be provided feedback on their performance as trainers by reviewing their submitted DORs and solicited feedback received from the probationary officers.
Non-Sworn Security Officers
Non-sworn security officers will participate in on-the-job training that is specifically designed and tailored to the tasks and functions directly relating to their position and expected role and responsibilities. Depending on the specific security officer’s role, the time period for successful completion of on-the-job training may vary, however the training should be completed within 160 hours over a period of four (4) weeks. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the director for professional standards and education. (6.2.2 b)
Cadet Officer Program Participants
The IUPD’s Cadet Officer Program is a specifically designed student centric two-year training program conducted under the direction of the professional standards and education staff. Student employees participating in the COP are within a formal training evolution and in an on-the-job training status the entire time they are participating in the program. As such, COP participants receive classroom and on-the-job training throughout their participation in the program. COP participants will not perform any task in the field for which they have not been trained.
As graduates of the Indiana University Police Academy, Part-Time Officers (Class II) are certified law enforcement officers in the State of Indiana; however, they perform limited law enforcement duties under close supervision of full-time IUPD sworn officers and supervisors. Part-Time Officers (Class II) do not serve in a solo motor patrol function but may perform other law enforcement related duties as assigned and consistent with the training, expectations, and guidelines they have received. Part-Time Officers (Class II) will participate in a uniform field exposure program which is intended to introduce similar elements of the field training program in order to allow the Part-Time Officer (Class II) to gain more comprehensive field experience tailored to fit the specific role, duties, and responsibilities of COP participants. Part-Time Officers (Class II) will participate in the field exposure program for the remainder of the time they are participating in the COP. (6.2.2 b)
Related Information
Indiana University Police Department
- Field Training Officer Manual
- G5.2.1 Selection Processes
- Probationary Officer Manual