Blog - Recruit - May 2007

It is your first day on the job. You are going to be scrutinized by everyone. Your superiors are going to inspect you. You know this, but do you actually know what the first inspection is really going to be like?

This will be a critical inspection for you and one that will set the tone for the rest of your patrol life.

When you look at another officer’s uniform and see an FTO pin, what thoughts come into your mind? Sure you know that FTO is an abbreviation for “field training officer.” But just what does that mean?

FTOs have the unheralded and often thankless job of training you to survive and flourish in the real world.

Patrol duty can be really long and tiring. You will have headaches, minor injuries, heartburn, and you will spend a lot of time in weather that drives most people indoors for the night.

You can make your life on the job a lot better by taking the time to pack and carry some little things that you are sure to need.

Put a creature comfort kit in your bag. Why? It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and have to pay $5 for a 25-cent item in a convenience store on

There are a few realities of life that we must get out of the way before we begin this discussion.

First, your department should tell you what it will issue to you. This prevents you from purchasing needless items and wasting your money. It should also tell you the items it recommends you have that it will not purchase for you. Finally, it should tell you what it prohibits you to have. Enough said.