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Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 511
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RE: FTO Program
State of Alaska > DOC > Integrity Certification
Goal VII (FTO Program)
Integrity Plan Requirements:
“Enhancements to the FTO program will be accomplished”
Objectives:
A fulltime FTO coordinator (or appropriate equivalent) will be appointed.
An FTO oversight group will be formed.
All FTOs will begin attending meetings.
FTOs will be compensated (in some meaningful fashion).
FTOs will only train one recruit.
FTOs will not be separated from trainees.
Chairperson:
Andrea Kuckertz Probation Officer II; Anchorage Probation Office
Assisting Members:
Jasen Wickert
Probation Officer II; Ketchikan Probation Office
Angelina Fraize (FTO Coordinator for Probation Officers)
Probation Officer III; Training Academy
Kurt Reichard (FTO Coordinator for Correctional Officers)
Correctional Officer III; Training Academy
Subcommittee Members:
George Allen
Correctional Officer III; Fairbanks Correctional Center
Robert Knotts
Correctional Officer III; Anchorage Correctional Complex
Robyn Parra
Correctional Officer III; Spring Creek Correctional Center
Jerry Verdin
Correctional Officer II; Anvil Mountain Correctional Center
Purpose/Mission: Field Training Officer (FTO) Subcommittee
Goal VII of the Integrity Certification Process is to enhance/develop an effective FTO program and has several objectives. The first objective was to identify a full time FTO Coordinator. This responsibility will be equally shared by a PO III (Angelina Fraize) and a CO III (currently vacant) from the DOC Training Academy. The second objective was to develop on FTO oversight group, which is the FTO Subcommittee, who first met in July 2004 and developed the following mission statement:
“The mission of the Alaska Department of Corrections Field Training Officer (FTO) Subcommittee is to review all components of current FTO programs and develop/improve and/or enhance such programs within the Department to include constant individualized attention between an FTO and a recruit.”
The FTO Subcommittee is working on the four remaining objectives, which are required for the Integrity Certification Process:
FTOs meet regularly
FTOs be compensated in a meaningful fashion
FTOs train recruits individually
FTOs not be separated from trainees during initial training
1. FTOs MEET REGULARLY
Why have FTO meetings?
Who will attend FTO Meetings?
When will meetings occur?
Why have FTO meetings?
The initial purpose of these meetings will be for trainers to discuss and provide input to the FTO Subcommittee about a variety of issues such as:
FTO eligibility requirements
FTO selection process
Ways to meaningfully compensate FTOs, and
FTO program development
As a formal standardized FTO program is developed statewide (with flexibility included for unique situations at various institutions/field offices), the primary purpose of these meetings will shift to focus on:
Identifying and addressing specific problems with recruits
Identifying and addressing specific problems with training curriculum
Ensure standardization not only within an institution/field office but also across all institutions/field offices.
Who will attend FTO Meetings?
Institutions: The FTO Subcommittee has been working on the first goal of having FTOs meet regularly and so far has developed several recommendations. The FTO Subcommittee is currently working on initiating Department-wide support of FTO meetings and development of a standardized FTO program. The FTO Subcommittee hopes for FTO meetings to start at each institution in the Spring of 2005 with the following officers attending these meetings:
Field Training Officer (FTO) Supervisors - The FTO Subcommittee is recommending the FTO meetings be conducted by the ITO at each institution.
Field Training Officers (FTO) - The FTO Subcommittee is recommending that at least one FTO from each shift and duty section attend each FTO meeting. The goal is for each FTO to participate in the meetings on a rotational basis as determined by the FTO Supervisor.
Lead Institutional POs - The FTO Subcommittee is recommending the Lead Institutional Probation Officer (IPO) at each institution also attend the FTO meetings.
Division of Probation and Parole (DPP): The FTO Subcommittee is recommending that all offices with 3 or more line probation officers have FTOs and an FTO Supervisor.
When will meetings occur?
Institutions:
Quarterly - The FTO Subcommittee is currently recommending FTO meetings be held at each institution at least quarterly. The ITO would conduct the meeting and the Lead Designated Trainers and Lead Institutional PO would attend. The Lead Designated Trainers would then share the information from this meeting with the remaining Designated Trainers at their next regular shift.
Annually - The FTO Subcommittee is currently recommending a few options for an annual meeting. The main purpose of this meeting would be to ensure standardization of the FTO program throughout the Department.
DPP:
Monthly - The FTO Subcommittee is recommending that FTO Meetings within DPP occur on a monthly basis. The FTO Supervisor will conduct the monthly meeting at their individual field office, when they have a recruit or trainee involved in the FTO program.
Quarterly – A quarterly statewide FTO meeting is being recommended for DPP. All FTO Supervisors and FTOs will attend in person or via telephone.
2. FTOs BE COMPENSATED IN A MEANINGFUL FASHION
Once the FTO meetings start, one of the first goals of these meetings will be for FTOs to give feedback and suggestions to the FTO Subcommittee regarding how FTOs should be compensated. Dr. Trautman (NIE) and the Kaminsky model stress the importance of FTOs being compensated. One way is to be financially compensated (where implemented the standard is a 5% pay increase when with a recruit) but both Dr. Trautman and Glenn Kaminsky stress that this is not necessarily the best method of compensation and only about a third of the agencies that use these FTO models use money as a compensator. Many other examples of compensation exist, such as FTO day off; First choice of training; Strong consideration for promotions; First consideration for special assignments; uniform pins/bars/badges; and FTO appointment ceremony/banquet. The FTO Subcommittee plans to use this feedback to develop recommendations for the Command Staff and incorporate into the standardized FTO program.
3. FTOs TRAIN RECRUITS INDIVIDUALLY
See explanation of objectives #3 and #4 below.
4. FTOs NOT BE SEPARATED FROM TRAINEES DURING INTIAL TRAINING
Recently the FTO Subcommittee has received feedback from various officers within DOC. A concern has been brought to our attention regarding objectives #3: FTOs train recruits individually and #4: FTOs not be separated from trainees during initial training. The current misconception is that a FTO program will be put into place where a recruit stays with one FTO throughout the entire FTO program. The FTO subcommittee is currently looking at various FTO programs statewide and nationwide. Several members have received training from FTO program development specialists such as Dr. Neal Trautman (http://www.ethicsinstitute.com/Training/fto.htm) and Glenn Kaminisky (http://www.kaminskyfto.com). An example of a FTO program where FTOs train recruits individually and FTOs are not separated from trainees is the San Jose FTO model.
In the San Jose FTO model a recruit comes to the field FTO program after graduating an Academy training program. That recruit is placed with an FTO and begins “Phase 1”, which consists of a period of weeks (usually 3-4) where the recruit is one-on-one with their FTO learning the basics of the job description. After finishing this Phase, the recruit moves to a 2nd FTO for “Phase 2”, which is another 3-4 weeks, where the training and responsibility put on the recruit progressively increases. After finishing Phase 2 the recruit continues on to a 3rd FTO for “Phase 3” where the recruit should by this time be able to complete most essential job functions independently with the FTO watching over. At the end of Phase 3 the recruit should not move onto “Final Phase” until the 3rd FTO is satisfied that the recruit is operating at an acceptable level to be on his or her own in the field. When the recruit moves on to Final Phase, they return to their original FTO for final check-off. During this Phase (another 3-4 weeks) the FTO (in the patrol realm) is dressed in plain clothes and the recruit operates completely independently, the FTO does not get involved unless there is a safety concern. Upon completion of the Field Training Manual and when the FTO is satisfied the recruit can operate fully independently, the recruit graduates the FTO program.
For obvious reasons this San Jose model cannot be directly applied to fit into the Corrections world. However, the FTO subcommittee is considering modifying our current programs and adopting aspects of other programs in order to meet NIE’s criteria (including objectives 3 and 4). Our ultimate goal is to create a standardized training program that meets the specifics needs of Alaska Department of Corrections and supports our mission.
We cannot do all these things without the input and support of DOC employees from lines staff to command staff. Please feel free to contact any subcommittee member if you have questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns. Thank you!
Contact:
For comments or questions about this goal contact:
Andrea Kuckertz
Probation Officer II; Anchorage Probation Office
(907) 334-2344
andrea_kuckertz@correct.state.ak.us
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