The demands on law enforcement have evolved dramatically in the past decade. To meet new challenges, agencies are reexamining how they train, evaluate and support recruits in the field. Modern field training officer (FTO) programs now play a crucial role not just in preparing new officers for duty, but in shaping the integrity, professionalism and culture of entire departments.
Today’s FTOs are more than instructors – they are mentors and role models who instill accountability, ethics and confidence. By combining structured training with modern tools, agencies can build stronger, more capable officers who reflect their community’s values.
What you’ll learn:
This digital report brings together expert insights and proven strategies for modernizing police field training. You’ll explore three essential pillars that define effective, forward-thinking FTO programs:
- Accountability: In Creating a culture of accountability and consistency in FTO programs, Dr. Michelle Gundy explains how clear expectations, structured evaluations and leadership by example build professionalism without fear.
- Mentorship: In Enhancing training evaluations with mentorship and technology, Sergeant Jennifer Hall of Louisville Metro Police shows how pairing guided mentorship with digital evaluation tools improves trainee support and performance.
- Technology: In Evolving field training officer programs for a new era of policing, veteran FTOs share how shifting from paper-based to digital systems strengthens transparency, consistency and retention.
Together, these perspectives illustrate how accountability, mentorship and technology can transform field training – and, by extension, entire departments. Agencies that embrace modernization not only develop more confident and competent officers, but also foster organizational trust, fairness and long-term success.
Download the digital guide to discover practical ways your agency can strengthen its FTO program, support new officers and advance a culture of integrity and excellence in policing.