Field Training Officer Program
The Hays Police Department's Field Training Officer Program (FTO) is a structured on-the-job training program that all new police officers must complete prior to being authorized to perform police duties without direct supervision. The program is based on the San Jose Model of field training, which is the most widely used model in the police profession. The full program is 14 weeks in duration, though we modify the actual length of training depending upon the performance of the trainee.
Field Training Officers
Field Training Officers are some of our department's best officers. They are officers selected from the Patrol Division who have demonstrated a high level of performance, and who have expressed an interest in teaching new officers. Field Training Officers must possess excellent communication skills. Officers elected for the program attend a Field Training Officer course and receive instruction in the training and evaluation of new officers using the San Jose model.