The Leading Edge FTO: Being the FTO Your Trainee Deserves
Course Type: Instructor Development Series
Location: Elyria, OH - Elyria Police Department
Dates: September 29-30, 2026
Duration: 16 hours
Cost: $699 per person (with $700 in sponsorship provided by T-Mobile for Government)
Course Overview
Exceptional Field Training Officers serve as coaches, mentors, and developers of new personnel while upholding agency culture, professionalism, and standards. This comprehensive 16-hour program equips current and prospective FTOs, CTOs, FTO/CTO supervisors, and training managers with practical, immediately applicable strategies for effective field training. Using real-world scenarios, practical discussion, and proven leadership principles, participants learn to create meaningful developmental experiences that build accountability, confidence, and sustained success for every trainee.
What Participants Will Learn
Coach Instead of Simply Evaluate
- Build trust while maintaining accountability
- Deliver coaching that improves trainee performance
- Provide feedback that encourages confidence and professional growth
Strengthen the Field Training Process
- Improve documentation and performance evaluations
- Create consistency throughout the field training program
- Establish clear expectations that promote accountability
Develop Future Officers
- Mentor recruits beyond minimum performance standards
- Model professionalism and leadership every day
- Help trainees develop sound decision-making under pressure
Who Should Attend
This law enforcement training course is designed for:
- Current Field Training Officers (FTOs)
- Prospective Field Training Officers
- Correctional Training Officers (CTOs)
- FTO/CTO Program Supervisors
- Training Unit Managers
- Law enforcement leaders responsible for officer development
Why Effective Field Training Matters
A robust field training program lays the foundation for officer success over the long term while enhancing agency culture and operational effectiveness. Agencies benefit from effective Field Training Officers through improved officer confidence and capability, greater consistency in field training delivery, enhanced documentation and accountability measures, reinforced agency values and professional standards, intentional mentorship that builds future leaders, and sustained officer performance that supports retention and organizational excellence.