G6.2.3 Communications Personnel Field Training
Chapter: Chapter 06: Training and Professional Development
Sub-Chapter: 6.2 - Initial Training
Effective Date: 08/30/2023
Revised Date: 08/30/2023
Rescinds: None
Purpose
To describe the Indiana University Police Department’s (IUPD) field training program for public safety dispatchers.
General Order
The IUPD will assign all newly hired public safety dispatchers to a structured field training program. The field training program is designed to assist public safety dispatchers in acquiring all the skills needed to perform their duties in a safe, productive, and professional manner. All newly hired public safety dispatchers will not be released for solo duty until the field training requirements are satisfactorily completed. Those who do not successfully complete the field training program will not be allowed to continue in the role and may be subject to termination.
Supervision of the training program (6.2.3 a)
The director for dispatch communications, in consultation with the director for professional standards and education, is responsible for overseeing IUPD’s communications field training program. The director for dispatch communications may name a designee to assist in coordinating the responsibilities of the program, which include assigning probationary operators to trainers, monitoring the progress of the probationary operators, generating end phase and end program summaries, evaluations, and meeting with the probationary operator to discuss their progress within the program.
The communication training officer (CTO) is responsible for the daily training, documentation, and evaluation of the probationary operator assigned to them.
Specified time period for training (6.2.3 b)
The communications field training program is divided into phases. Successful completion of each phase is required for the probationary operator to continue into the next phase.
Classroom Phase is 40 hours of classroom instruction followed by a final written exam.
Phase One is a 120-hour minimum phase taught over the course of three (3) weeks. If the probationary operator does not pass phase one after the third week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Two is a 120-hour minimum phase taught over the course of three (3) weeks. If the probationary operator does not pass phase two after the third week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Three is a 120-hour minimum phase taught over the course of three (3) weeks. If the probationary operator does not pass phase three after the third week, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Phase Four is a 40-hour minimum phase taught over the course of one (1) week. If the probationary operator does not pass phase four after the allotted time, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of training within this phase.
Observation Phase is a 40-hour minimum phase taking place over the course of one (1) week. If the probationary operator does not pass observation phase after the allotted time, they may receive up to two (2) additional weeks of additional training with a CTO. After the additional training, the probationary operator will attempt to complete the observation phase again.
Although each phase of the program has a designated time period for completion, the time periods may 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 director for dispatch communications who 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 instructors (6.2.3 c)
The selection process for CTOs 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, public safety dispatchers must have a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a full-time public safety dispatcher and be in good standing with the university.
Newly selected CTOs will complete a Communications Training Officer course as soon as reasonably practicable and prior to serving in the role of a CTO.
Specific performance criteria (6.2.3 d)
Probationary operator performance is evaluated using performance categories listed and described within the Probationary Operator Training Manual. 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 Probationary Operator Training Manual contains the standardized evaluation guidelines that are used to ensure consistency in evaluation.
Daily written evaluations (6.2.3 e)
The CTO will document the performance of the probationary operator for each shift using the Daily Observation Report (DOR) within the IUPD’s approved documentation software. The probationary operator will review and sign off on the DOR. DORs are also reviewed by the director for dispatch communications or designee for final approval.
Process used to evaluate instructors (6.2.3 f)
The director for dispatch communications or designee will evaluate all CTOs. This evaluation is to ensure that all requirements and expectations for the CTOs are met. CTOs will be provided feedback on their performance as trainers by reviewing their submitted DORs and solicited feedback received from the probationary operators.
Related Information
Indiana University Police Department
- G5.2.1 Selection Processes
- Probationary Operator Training Manual