Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for public safety leaders, field training officers, and anyone involved in training new recruits.
We all know the importance of evaluating trainees. After all, we need to make sure they’re meeting the standards before turning them loose on their own. But let me ask you this: Are you evaluating your FTOs with the same level of scrutiny?
“Continuous improvement should apply to everyone, not just those wearing the probationary title.”
Here’s the deal. FTOs play a critical role in shaping the future of your agency. They don’t just teach policy and procedures. They model the very behaviors and attitudes that will stick with new members for years to come. And if you’re only focused on rating the trainees, you’re missing half the equation.
Not every seasoned member makes a good FTO. Some have great skills but lack patience. Others struggle to explain complex concepts or provide useful feedback. And let’s be honest. Some might take a “sink or swim” approach that does more harm than good. Without an evaluation process, these issues go unchecked, and bad training habits get passed down.
When you implement structured FTO evaluations, you accomplish several things. First, you identify strengths and weaknesses in your FTO program. You also ensure consistency in training across shifts and supervisors. Finally, you reinforce the idea that everyone is accountable – trainees and trainers alike.
And here’s something else to remember. Trainees should have input. They’re in the best position to provide insight into an FTO’s teaching effectiveness, communication skills, and professionalism. Of course, their feedback should be weighed carefully. Just because a trainee feels an FTO was too tough doesn’t mean the training was ineffective. But trends in feedback can reveal patterns that need attention.
At the end of the day, if we expect our trainees to be coachable and improve, we should expect the same from our FTOs. Continuous improvement should apply to everyone, not just those wearing the probationary title.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
