Field Training Officer Train-the-Trainer
Field Training Officer "Train the Trainer" (T-t-T)
Course Type: This is not a basic Field Training Officer certification course. Rather, it prepares experienced FTOs to become instructors who will train other officers to serve as FTOs.
Dates & Location: The three-day seminar runs from Wednesday, September 23, 2026, through Friday, September 25, 2026, with daily sessions from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Connecticut Police Academy, located at 285 Preston Avenue, Meriden, Connecticut 06450.
Instructors: Training will be led by Matthew Solak, Field Program Consultant for POST, and Lieutenant Christopher DiFalco of the Ridgefield Police Department.
Prerequisites: Applicants must have served as a POST-certified Field Training Officer for a minimum of three years, maintained POST instructor certification for at least three years, and completed a Methods of Instruction/Basic Instructor Development Course.
Enrollment: This class is capped at fifteen participants. Preference goes to officers assigned to satellite academies or agency training divisions who conduct training responsibilities. Registration occurs through the Acadis portal and must be completed by close of business on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
Purpose & Content: The program provides instruction on creating and implementing best practices for police Field Training Officer programs. It examines how principles from problem-based learning, andragogy, and reflective learning strengthen field training for recruit officers. The curriculum addresses the history of Connecticut's FTO process, the San Jose field training model, contemporary alternatives including the Reno and NextGen models, community partner engagement strategies, officer wellness and human performance integration, the distinction between evaluation and documentation, and modern reporting and testing protocols for 21st-century field training programs. Participants complete a rigorous, academically-focused program and may be invited to instruct or co-instruct subsequent FTO classes at the POST Academy.
Cost: There is no tuition charge for this course. Lunch may be purchased at nearby restaurants. Attendees must comply with POST In-Service training uniform dress code requirements as outlined in General Notice 23-02.
Contact: For questions, reach out to Field Program Consultant Matthew Solak at matthew.solak@ct.gov or 203-427-2616.