Field Training Officer
For Corrections
Quality & Excellence In Criminal Justice Training
FTO Training For Corrections

This training course is for the Field Training
Officer.  The field training program for an
agency is one of the most important training
programs an agency maintains.  The lack of a
training program, a substandard program or a
poorly run program can cost an agency
millions of dollars in civil suits, loss of good
personnel and the loss of a previously
untarnished reputation.  A well trained FTO
force in conjunction with a well run program will
help protect an agency from civil suits
originating from within and without the agency.  
Recommendation Of Training

The prevention of problems begins by eliminating them before they occur.  In 1965 the
omnibus crime control act recommended that criminal justice agencies have a training
program.  The national accreditation by Creditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CLEA)
requires an FTO program for accreditation.  In addition The International Association of
Chiefs of Police (IACP) also recommends an FTO program for training new personnel.  The
state of Virginia now requires correctional FTO officers receive FTO training.  An FTO
program is a must for all law enforcement and correctional agencies.  
This course meets that requirement.

The  National Standard

The program model presented by APTAC follows the program model originated by the San
Jose Police Department in 1972 and has become the national standard.  The development
of this program was a response to a law suit against the city of San Jose California, in 1968,
for the lack of training where a police officer killed a citizen in a traffic accident.  The
program that was developed by San Jose has become the model for field training programs
across the country.  The program presented by APTAC is the same model that has been
taught and used across the country since it was implemented in 1972 in San Jose
California.  The program has been court tested and is ADA and EEOC defensible.

THE INSTRUCTOR

The instructor, John Bowden, presents this course with a combined total  of 30 years
experience in law enforcement and law enforcement training.  He was one of the original
Field Training Officers involved in the implementation of the current Orlando FL Police
Department  FTO program.  He brings to the table his training experience as an FTO, an
FTO supervisor, a police academy coordinator and a consultant to FTO programs.  John
has trained FTOs and consulted on training programs across the United States.  John has
developed, written and implemented an FTO program from the ground up.  One such
program is estimated to save the state of Oklahoma over ½ million dollars a year in training
costs.  John is able to answer student questions with the authority and experience of being
involved in field training from FTO, to program developer to training coordinator.  

CORRECTIONS

Over the years FTO programs have been primarily geared to law enforcement, ignoring the
special needs and circumstances of corrections. Correctional FTO programs must address
the specific criteria, unique to the correctional environment.

This correctional FTO program was developed for corrections with the assistance of
Lt. Michael Tolliver,  Lt. Gary Cornelius and Renee’ Meador.  Michael Tolliver is a member
of AJA as well as an AJA certified instructor. He is a Lt. with the Albemarle-Charlottesville
Regional Jail, he has worked as administrative assistant to the chief of inmate services, as
facility accreditation manager, and floor officer.  He writes SOPs for the agency and is
developing the current FTO program. Lt Tolliver is a 25 year retiree from the USAF.  

Lt. Gary Cornelius is a former jail director, university faculty member, and a correctional
training consultant.  He is the author of 3 texts Stressed Out,” “The Correctional Officer, A
Practical Guide,” and “The Art of the Con.” As well as the author many articles on
corrections.  He is a member of the AJA and a board member of IACTP.  

Renee' Meador is a Coordinator for the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Academy, an
expert in criminal justice training.  This course has been presented to correctional field
training officers and has received rave reviews from our students         

COURSE OVERVIEW
History Of The FTO Program
An historical perspective of the program
describing the civil cases that acted as a
catalyst to the development of the
program and the impact on today’s law
enforcement and corrections.  A detailed
blueprint of the field training schedule
from hiring to probation with a detailed
description of each phase and its
purpose within the program.

Structure Of FTO Training
A detailed blueprint of the field training
schedule from hiring to probation with a
detailed description of each phase and
its purpose within the program

The Philosophy of The FTO Program
A description of the eight philosophies
that govern the successful operation of
an effective FTO program.

Changing Behavior
Learn how to identify the cause of
unacceptable behavior in trainees and
use positive and effective techniques to
make changes in that behavior.


Communications
A description of the dynamics of
interpersonal communications, and how
to use the knowledge of communications
to provide feedback to the trainee in an
effective manner.


Presentation Techniques
This section explains how to develop
techniques to effectively teach the
trainee with a minimum of effort in the
shortest period possible.


Program Documentation
This course will discuss and demonstrate
the proper use of the FTO program
documentation and procedures; a critical
component of the FTO program.


Rating The Trainee & Writing Reports
This course presents the 7 point “Lichert
Scale” for rating trainees.  The use of
this scale has proven to be legally
defensible in law enforcement training.  
The participants will learn how to write
detailed, accurate reports in conjunction
with and in support of the trainee’s
ratings.
Dynamics of Adult Learning
This block discusses the dynamics of human
learning, how the human system receives,
filters, translates, stores and ultimately uses
information.  This will enable the participant
to be a more effective teacher.


Coaching, Counseling
This block will discuss and demonstrate the
proper techniques to move the trainee to an
effective level of competency. The
participant will learn how to modify behavior
by proper training techniques, coaching and
counseling.

Legal Defensibility
Using real cases, this course will present the
elements that make this program legally
defensible.

Liability & Training
Prior to the 1960s the courts generally
adopted a hands off approach to legal
cases filed by inmates.  In the 1960s, with
the advent of civil rights cases courts
started to pay attention.  The hands on era
of the courts began and lasted through the
1970s.  In 1962, in federal prisons, 1,500
law suits were filed by inmates against
correctional staff and administrators.  In
1987 this number had more than tripled to
an excess of 4,500. In 1971, In state
prisons, 1,200 legal actions were filed by
inmates against correctional staff and
administrators.  In 1987 this number was
33,000. In 1995 federal district courts
disposed of almost 38,000 filed by state
inmates.  In 1996 federal and state inmates
filed more than 42,215 civil rights actions.  
Because of legal impact of officer training on
criminal and civil cases, many states such
as Virginia require FTO training
for correctional officers.
This course will explain the liability of
training and the vicarious responsibility of
the FTO, supervisors and ultimately the
agency.  This course will present techniques
to avoid situations that will subject an
agency to civil suits for training liability.  
Using real cases, this course will present the
elements that make this program
legally defensible.


Termination of Trainees
With the study of real cases, the participant
will learn the problems that can be caused
by the termination of a trainee; how to
deliver the message, and the steps to take
to avoid possible violence.  

This Course Is
Available In
Lengths Of
40 Hours

All Training
Materials Are
Included

A Professional
Certificate Is
Issued With
Each Course