August 25, 2015

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[FIELD TRAINING OFFICER SURVEY]

Executive Summary
Key Responses
Survey Questions and Graphs

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August 25, 2015

[FIELD TRAINING OFFICER SURVEY]

Executive Summary
The Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Law Enforcement Training Section issued a survey
to members of NACLEC and other local law enforcement agencies to determine the type of FTO
programs used by other agencies. Thirty partnering agencies responded to the survey resulting in a
50% response rate. Key information and question data are detailed in the subsequent pages.
***The survey was set-up in a logic format; based on survey participants earlier responses, some
questions were automatically skipped. Skipped responses generally indicate that question logic was
in place.

Key Responses
98% of all survey participants operate a formal or informal FTO program. 28% use the San Jose
model, but 56% of survey participants indicated an FTO program that was not listed in the survey
selection options. After further analysis, it was evident that many of those who selected other as
the FTO model implemented a hybrid San Jose model.
52% did not offer monetary compensation to field training officers who participated in an FTO
program. Of the 48% who offered monetary compensation, 88% indicated that compensation
varied and was not a straight percentage increase. Of those who did offer compensation, 91%
indicated that monetary compensation was only provided while the field training officer had a
recruit. All survey participants who were asked if they compensated their field training officers with
additional leave indicated that zero/no additional leave time was offered as compensation. 56% of
survey participants listed additional overtime as a form of compensation.
Six survey participants noted that their program offers a rank recognition that is visible year-round.
Of those who indicated they did not offer rank recognition, 12 specified that some form of an FTO
pin is worn by field training officers.
68% of survey participants noted that field-training officers were selected through a formal
application process or were appointed. 36% formally evaluate field training officers with an annual
review while 28% did not conduct an evaluation or review. The remaining 36% conducted some
form of an evaluation or review of their field training officers.
Question 15 asked, What was the biggest incentive for field training officers to remain in the
program? and was an open-ended format. The majority or responses fell into two categories:
career advancement opportunities and pride/sense of service.
Lastly, survey participants indicated their satisfaction with their current FTO program. 75% of
participants noted satisfaction with their current program. Comments in this section suggested that
although survey participants were happy with their existing program, there were opportunities for
improvements or tweak within certain aspects such as compensation and incentives.

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q2 Does your agency currently utilize a

structured FTO program?
Answered: 30

Skipped: 0

No

Yes

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes

93.33%

28

No

6.67%

Total

30

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q3 What FTO program do you currently

use?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

San Jose
28.00% (7)

Other (please
specify)

Sokolove
4.00% (1)

56.00% (14)

PTO
8.00% (2)
Informal FTO
Program
4.00% (1)

Answer Choices

Responses

San Jose

28.00%

Sokolove

4.00%

PTO

8.00%

Informal FTO Program

4.00%

Other (please specify)

56.00%

14

Total

25

Other (please specify)

Date

We really use a hybrid of San Jose and PTO

8/13/2015 12:24 PM

Relates closely to San Jose and modeled after the Minnesota DNR method they are using and tweaked to fit our
own uniqueness.

8/6/2015 4:17 PM

FTO program developed by Oregon's Departmet of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)

8/3/2015 12:32 PM

KDFWR Version ,which is a combination of FTO and the PTO programs

8/3/2015 9:53 AM

NYS Dept of Criminal Justice Services format

8/2/2015 10:57 AM

Georgia Peace officer standards and training FTO program curriculum.

7/31/2015 12:05 PM

Modified San Jose along with a monthly evaluation and required skills performance tasks.

7/30/2015 8:22 AM

Kaminski adaptation

7/29/2015 12:36 PM

In house developed program.

7/29/2015 12:04 PM

10

Our own model

7/29/2015 11:30 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

11

Because of our varied landscape and hunting season structure, we assign trainees to various FTOs throughout
the fall hunting seasons. Trainees are assigned the following FTO assignments, usually with different FTO:
fishing, dove, pronghorn, 4-deer / elk seasons, pheasant, waterfowl and others. Trainees are in the training
program for 12 months / 5 for POST, then 7 more for Wildlife specific duties including wildlife management,
safety, law enforcement, other agency programs, etc.

7/29/2015 10:16 AM

12

We created our own FTO program

7/29/2015 9:55 AM

13

Ours is a combination of the Reno and San Jose Model.

7/29/2015 9:37 AM

14

our own that the agency developed

7/29/2015 9:30 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q4 Do you compensate your FTO's with an

increased hourly/weekly/monthly wage?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

Yes
No

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes

48.00%

12

No

52.00%

13

Total

25

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q5 What percentage increase do you offer

as compensation?
Answered: 12

Skipped: 18

1-3%

3-5%

5-7%

7-9%

9% or greater

Other (please
specify)
0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Answer Choices

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Responses

1-3%

8.33%

3-5%

0.00%

5-7%

8.33%

7-9%

0.00%

9% or greater

0.00%

Other (please specify)

83.33%

10

Total

12

Other (please specify)

Date

5 hrs OT each week that he/she has a recruit

8/3/2015 9:55 AM

1/2 hour OT per DOR

7/30/2015 11:35 AM

$150 extra per week when they have a trainee

7/30/2015 11:27 AM

One dollar per hour for every hour working as FTO

7/29/2015 12:48 PM

5 hours over time for each week they have a trainee

7/29/2015 12:37 PM

2 hours OT/day when with cadet

7/29/2015 12:05 PM

10%

7/29/2015 11:32 AM

Our Corporals are required to be an FTO so they will receive compensation from the promotion they receive. We do
have volunteer FTO's that are not compensated. The percentage of increase for Corporals depends on time on etc.

7/29/2015 11:01 AM

give FTO 4 hours of OT a week while working as FTO

7/29/2015 9:35 AM

10

give them an hour of OT a day

7/29/2015 9:26 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q6 Please indicate whether increased

compensation is offered year round or only
while training a recruit.
Answered: 12

Skipped: 18

Compensation
applies only...

Compensation
applies year...

Other

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Answer Choices

70%

80%

90%

100%

Responses

Compensation applies only while training a recruit

91.67%

11

Compensation applies year round

0.00%

Other

8.33%

Total

12

Other

Date

Corporals recieve their compensation year round. Volunteer FTO's receive no compensation.

7/29/2015 11:01 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q7 Do you compensate your FTO's with

additional vacation or leave time?
Answered: 24

Skipped: 6

Vacation

Other Leave
Time

0%

10%

20%

1-4 days

0
Vacation

Other Leave Time

30%

40%

5-8 days

50%

60%

9-12 days

1-4 days

70%

80%

90%

100%

13+ Days

5-8 days

9-12 days

13+ Days

Total

100.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

24

24

100.00%
21

0.00%
0

0.00%
0

0.00%
0

0.00%
0

21

Comments

Date

No, however if they work overtime in the course of conducting FTA duties, they would receive compensatory time off.

8/13/2015 12:27 PM

NO

7/30/2015 11:35 AM

Over time is paid which is something they do not normally get paid for.

7/29/2015 12:37 PM

Can get comptime

7/29/2015 9:20 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q8 Do you compensate your FTO's with

additional overtime?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

No

Yes - please
provide additional
information in
comment box below

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes - please provide additional information in comment box below

56.00%

14

No

44.00%

11

Total

25

If yes, please explain.

Date

See #5

8/13/2015 12:27 PM

They can accumulate up to 5 hours of OT / week and must justify the usage.

8/6/2015 4:18 PM

5 Hrs OT each week that he/she has a recruit

8/3/2015 9:55 AM

FTOs are encouraged to work longer hours in the field with their trainees and are authorized to complete all FTO
paperwork on overtime

8/2/2015 10:59 AM

see #5 above

7/30/2015 11:35 AM

It is common for our training officers to receive extra OT consideration, but there is no "OT bank" just because they
are a training officer.

7/30/2015 11:27 AM

They are compensated for any overtime they accrue during the FTO program.

7/30/2015 7:22 AM

See above

7/29/2015 12:05 PM

case bty case, varies around the state but not a blanket approval for overtime

7/29/2015 11:32 AM

10

No overtime--by contract FTO's receive a $200 annual stipend

7/29/2015 10:25 AM

11

FTO are "professional employes" and are generally exempt from overtime.

7/29/2015 10:18 AM

12

If needed

7/29/2015 9:55 AM

13

yes, 4 hours a week for additional duties

7/29/2015 9:35 AM

14

An hour a day OT

7/29/2015 9:26 AM

15

Comp time

7/29/2015 9:20 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

16

1/2 hour per day of training

7/28/2015 2:40 PM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q9 Do your FTO's have a visible rank

recognition?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

Yes

No

Answer Choices

Responses

Yes

24.00%

No

76.00%

19

Total

25

If yes, please list rank type.

Date

Not an official rank. We recruit and train field level officers to be FTO's each time we hire a training Class. District

8/13/2015 12:29 PM

Supervisors (front line supervisor) also provide FTO instruction.

2

Just an FTO pin

8/2/2015 10:59 AM

We do provide a metal "Field Training Officer" tag for their uniform.

7/30/2015 11:36 AM

Our FTO's wear an FTO pin . This is not a rank , we use all ranks as FTO's.

7/30/2015 7:23 AM

Corporals do wear Corporal stripes. Volunteer FTO's do not have any insignia on their uniform denoting them as an
FTO.

7/29/2015 11:01 AM

Allowed to wear an "FTO" pin on class B uniform

7/29/2015 10:25 AM

Most are Sgt or Lt

7/29/2015 9:57 AM

They have a pin on their uniform that recognizes them as a FTO.

7/29/2015 9:38 AM

Corporal collar brass

7/28/2015 2:40 PM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q10 Which of the following best describes

how/when the rank is displayed?
Answered: 6

Skipped: 24

Other (please
specify)

Rank is displayed
year round

Answer Choices

Responses

Rank is displayed only while training a recruit

0.00%

Rank is displayed year round

83.33%

Other (please specify)

16.67%

Total

Other (please specify)

Date

Corporal's wear stripes year round.

7/29/2015 11:02 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q11 Please share any other recognition

type or program previously not listed.
Answered: 9

Skipped: 21

Responses

Date

Still in the infancy of the program and working out details with issues.

8/6/2015 4:19 PM

FTO Pin

7/31/2015 4:05 PM

None, but we are working on a simple "FTO" pin which they can wear on their uniforms during the training period.

7/30/2015 8:22 AM

FTO Pin

7/29/2015 12:48 PM

FTO application process it is a formalized position but not a rank increase

7/29/2015 12:38 PM

None

7/29/2015 12:05 PM

We have the availability to wae an FTO pin on our Class B uniforms, but not our Class C (routine patrol) uniforms

7/29/2015 11:33 AM

"FTO" Uniform pin

7/29/2015 11:15 AM

FTO PIN on uniform

7/29/2015 9:58 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q12 How are FTO's recruited and selected

into your program?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

Formal
application ...

Appointed

Informal
Selection

Other

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Answer Choices

90%

100%

Responses

Formal application and selection process

36.00%

Appointed

32.00%

Informal Selection

24.00%

Other

32.00%

Total Respondents: 25

Other

Date

We select our FTO's by looking at the best agents for the job. The selections are then approved by the Field Chiefs
and the Chiefs.

8/13/2015 12:35 PM

All commissioned game wardens were put through the FTO training consisting of 24 hours. From that those who

8/6/2015 4:21 PM

volunteered and had a good work history with out any disciplinary actions would be looked at in performing the duties.
3

Any FTO is a volunteer and the District Captain and our Training Director make the final selections for Field Training
Officers from the volunteers.

7/30/2015 8:24 AM

After attaining rank of master officer, or Corporal, they must attend FTO training.

7/29/2015 12:49 PM

By Region Directors with approval of Training Division

7/29/2015 12:06 PM

Corporals go thru a competitive application and interview process. Volunteer FTO's submit a letter thru their chain of

7/29/2015 11:06 AM

command. The Colonel makes the final decision on whether an Officer will become a volunteer FTO or not.
7

Selected based upon FTO's regular evaluations and after discussion with supervisors.

7/29/2015 10:20 AM

All Sgts

7/29/2015 9:59 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q13 What ongoing evaluation do you use

once an FTO enters the program to ensure
their skills remain at the appropriate level
for an FTO?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

Annual Review

No Evaluation

Other (please
specify)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Answer Choices

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Responses

Annual Review

36.00%

No Evaluation

28.00%

Other (please specify)

36.00%

Total

25

Other (please specify)

Date

All FTO's must complete a refresher course before being certified as an FTA, even if they have served as an FTA in

8/13/2015 12:35 PM

the past.
2

Eval of paperwork and an eval by the recruit

8/3/2015 9:57 AM

On going review while engaged in actual training, (informal)

7/30/2015 11:37 AM

We use a feedback form completed by the trainee at the end of the program.

7/30/2015 7:24 AM

Core competency testing

7/29/2015 11:16 AM

FTO's are rated biannually on a standard state of NM employee performance form. FTO responsibilities are built into
the from as a required work assignment.

7/29/2015 11:06 AM

Command staff meets with officers coming off FTO for evaluation

7/29/2015 10:26 AM

Continual discussion with supervisors

7/29/2015 10:20 AM

Informal critique done by program manager

7/29/2015 9:27 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q14 Please explain the nature and type of

your annual (or other) review.
Answered: 9

Skipped: 21

Responses

Date

The review is conducted as part of the FTO's annual evaluation. They are also sent to updated training every 2-3
years that specifically relates to the FTO program.

8/3/2015 12:38 PM

separate from but during the normal review, must meet SEGS

7/31/2015 4:07 PM

Standard departmental performance evaluation.

7/31/2015 12:09 PM

The FTO review we use is the required North Carolina Performance Management System. We do allow the trainees
to provide feedback on their training experience at the end of field training.

7/30/2015 8:27 AM

It is part of their annual evaluation with input to supervisors through the Field Training coordinator.

7/29/2015 12:40 PM

None

7/29/2015 12:07 PM

Its is included in FTO regular annual evaluation

7/29/2015 10:00 AM

We have an annual FTO meeting to review how the most recent FTO process went through and discuss each FTOs
performance.

7/29/2015 9:48 AM

Review after each FTO program

7/29/2015 9:21 AM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q15 What has been the biggest incentive

for FTO's to enter or remain in the
program?
Answered: 23

Skipped: 7

Responses

Date

They want to help train those officers who they will be working with. Experience for promotional opportunities.

8/13/2015 12:37 PM

Making sure officers coming in have a better understanding of the job and can complete the job better than previous
methods.

8/6/2015 4:23 PM

Pride in helping develop the next generation of officers has been the biggest incentive. OSP added the compensation
adjustment several years ago and that has also been a motivational factor.

8/3/2015 12:38 PM

varies

8/3/2015 9:58 AM

Sense of service, career development

7/31/2015 4:07 PM

Shows willingness to work and reflects well on promotions.

7/31/2015 12:09 PM

professional enhancement

7/30/2015 11:38 AM

Stepping stone for career advancement within agency

7/30/2015 11:27 AM

Personal initiative to grow in their career and have supervisory experience for future promotions. Also to train a
competent work force for the future.

7/30/2015 8:27 AM

10

Desire to produce a better trained officer statewide.

7/30/2015 7:25 AM

11

Helping new officers with training.

7/29/2015 12:50 PM

12

Mentoring and coaching the new hires and the future of he agency.

7/29/2015 12:40 PM

13

Personal interest in training new officers

7/29/2015 12:07 PM

14

pay

7/29/2015 11:39 AM

15

Standing in the agency

7/29/2015 11:16 AM

16

Future promotions to Sgt. positions.

7/29/2015 11:08 AM

17

Has been beneficial for promotion to sergeant rank

7/29/2015 10:26 AM

18

Pride of being selected

7/29/2015 10:20 AM

19

It is part of the Sgts job duties

7/29/2015 10:00 AM

20

Personal pride and influence on new officers.

7/29/2015 9:48 AM

21

sense of personal satisfaction on training our officers to be professional in their actions with the public and other law
enforcement agencies

7/29/2015 9:43 AM

22

wanting to give back and be part of the ongoing success of the Maine Warden Service

7/29/2015 9:29 AM

23

Pride in department and willingness to train the officers they most work with.

7/28/2015 2:41 PM

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q16 Are you satisfied with your current FTO

program/model?
Answered: 25

Skipped: 5

Yes

No

No, and
actively...

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Answer Choices

90%

100%

Responses

Yes

88.00%

22

No

8.00%

No, and actively looking to implement a new model

4.00%

Total

25

Comments

Date

We changed things up about 3 years ago. We have made a few minor tweaks over the past couple of classes, but
overall, we have kept it the same.

8/13/2015 12:37 PM

As stated before, we are still working out the kinks, but for officers that have gone through it, it has made a difference.

8/6/2015 4:23 PM

The format is fine but we are increasing the required hours.

8/2/2015 11:01 AM

Would examine something that is better

7/31/2015 4:07 PM

We completely remodeled our FTO program in 2013 after attending FTO classes at the N.C. Justice Academy. We
learned what the current standard is for all Law Enforcement in North Carolina, then we designed a program that
exceeds that standard. I am very pleased with our current program and will share whatever I can to assist your

7/30/2015 8:27 AM

Agency.
6

I would like to see a way to better compensate them for the important work they do.

7/29/2015 12:40 PM

still looking for improvements, always

7/29/2015 11:39 AM

For the most part yes. We continually evaluate the entire recruit training process trying to make it better for the
recruits, FTO's, Supervisors. I would not say we are looking for a new model but there is always a little bit of a better
way to do things so we continue to try and improve our program.

7/29/2015 11:08 AM

Would like to incentivize participation with overtime, but budget and 28 day, 160 hour cycle where hours can be
adjusted to compensate for any overages.

7/29/2015 9:48 AM

10

We are in transistion now, to the PTO model. We are implementing this program into all phases of our training

7/29/2015 9:29 AM

program.

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Field Training Officer Survey

Q17 Are you currently looking to implement

an FTO program?
Answered: 2

Skipped: 28

Yes

No

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Answer Choices

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Responses

Yes

0.00%

No

100.00%

Total

Comments

Date

There are no responses.

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