Owatonna Police Department-2012 Annual Report

PATROL DIVISION TRAINING Field Training Officers The field training and evaluation process of any police department is a critical component of any successful police department. Unfortunately, every candidate that wishes to become a police officer is not always the right fit for their chosen career or the department and population they wish to serve. The field training process ensures that the employer has sufficient opportunity to directly observe and certify that a newly hired officer has the essential job-related knowledge and skills to be an effective solo police officer for the department and community in which they will serve. Sergeant Kniefel and Sergeant DuChene coordinate and supervise the Field Training Unit of the department.

New officers are put through an extensive five-phase field training and evaluation period, in which they are evaluated on a daily basis in ten areas of core competency. The first four phases of training for a new officer involves an intense sixteen week minimum training period in which the new officer is assigned to a field training officer. Each newly hired officer spends time working at least one training phase during a day, evening and night shift. Each phase involves direction and coaching from a different field training officer. Included during this period is the fourth phase of training in which the field training officer rides along in plain clothes and acts as an observer to the probationary officer. Upon successful completion of the fourth phase of field training, new officers are certified for solo patrol duties and placed into the fifth phase of training as probationary officers through their first year of employment.

In 2012, the FTO program was met with significant challenges due to an unprecedented number of officers that chose to end their employment with the Owatonna Police Department for other employment opportunities. This significantly challenged the Field Training Unit with up to five new officers in the field training program at the same time. Sergeant DuChene was assigned as the new Field Training Coordinator in October of 2012. Officers John Bata and Anthony Heaser both became certified Field Training Officers and part of the Owatonna Police Departments Field Training Unit in October of 2012.

Eight police officer candidates were placed in field training this year. The teams of dedicated Field Training Officers are committed to the training, development and success of the new police officer candidates, as well as promoting the department’s mission as a whole. Upon successful completion of the field training program, the police officer candidates are certified for solo patrol duties.

Owatonna Police Department’s FTOs are Jason Matejcek, Joe Swenson, Kyle Parr, John Bata, and Anthony Heaser.

OWATONNA POLICE DEPARTMENT 2012 ANNUAL REPORT