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Advice for trainees

6/17/2007 1:42 PM
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 12

Advice for trainees

As an FTO for a small southern California city for the last 5 years, my best advice is to watch what your FTO does, do what he/she tells you to do, then ask why later.  Your FTO handles a call a certain way, and does not usually have time to walk you through it step by step at that time.  Later, after the call is complete, take the time to debrief.  If you need something explained, make sure you ask.  THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS, JUST THE ONES YOU DONT ASK.  Many of the calls we go on can seem mundane and routine.  Trainees need to get those words out of your vocabulary.  ALL calls have the potential to go bad in a real hurry. 

Last edited @ 6/17/2007 1:43 PM
REPLY 1  -  9  of  9
6/27/2007 1:50 AM #1
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1

Do What You Know Is Right

Some of the things I use to tell my rookies many years ago.   :)

 

Most officers who get hurt or killed have made a mistake, officers don't like to admit it. 

 I taught my rookies to, protect yourself first then serve, be prepared for the worst in every situration, have a plan be flexible but have a plan, start out with the golden rule with people if they don't qualify for it then you can choke them out, be prepared not paranoid, always be alert for the unexpected it will happen, give no breaks when your safety is concerned. I told them you bet your life on every call. In my 35 years on the "streets" I saw it all, I was involved in 5 shootings. I told them don't let this job change who you are, it will affect you but don't let it get to you. Do the best you can and if need be say a prayer for the person(s) and let God take charge, go on to the next call. It's tragic what one human does to another human (adults and children) My motto was, "To Protect, Help And Care."  I thank God he allowed me to be a Police Officer.

 All Police Officers have to remember their family wants them to come home after every shift.

Last edited @ 6/27/2007 1:52 AM
8/17/2007 1:04 AM #2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1

RE: Advice for trainees

Advice,i tried to impress upon New Officers-1.)Check your gear thoroughly before going out,that includes lifting the back seat of the car to check for contraband left by previous shifts,check back seat again after removing suspect from vehicle at station,for contraband they might leave in your car.Search your suspect several times,even if you find one weapon,you might find more,they can carry two guns also.2.)Don't tell your suspect how you caught him,he doesn't need to know.Secure him in vehicle and turn off the car radio,so he can't hear your radio traffic,keep him in the dark.Talk to other officers away from car,don't let another officer talk to your suspect.Don't read miranda until it is time,don't arrest until it is time,don't let another officer read miranda to your suspect.3.)Don't think your suspect is stupid,as long as his eyes,ears,mouth and memory work,he can tell everything that transpired to his attorney who probably knows the law better than you.
Treat the subject like a mushroom,keep him in the dark and feed him bull pucky.
1/29/2009 11:14 AM #3
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 72

RE: Advice for trainees

One tip I always tell PPO's (Probationary Police Officers)is to know exactly where you are at all times...in case someone runs into an alley, a car fails to yield, you get the idea. After a while I test this knowledge by asking what street, alley, hundred block, etc. If they don't know immediately they get a little foot patrol to help them orient and remember. Always practice Officer safety. Attacks come quickly. Be aware of warning body language behavior. Be alert. Go home every shift. Have fun!
2/14/2009 1:32 PM #4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2

RE: Advice for trainees

what is the number one thing rookie officers do wron when on probation?

2/14/2009 1:36 PM #5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2

Student in need of information

Im a law enforcement student in Minnesota and I was just wondering? What is the number one problem or mistake rookie officer's make while on probation?
2/14/2009 4:41 PM #6
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 380

RE: Advice for trainees

Everything.

Seriously, probably not realizing they are still learning and do not know everything. After that, each will make their own mistakes so I cannot really give you a most common thing.

Common problems are tactics, report writing, evidence collection, and searching prisoners. Another real common problem, but some may disagree, is being badge heavy. A lot of rookies do not realize that there does not have to be an arrest for every violation. You can give warnings and such.
7/12/2009 5:22 PM #7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6

RE: Advice for trainees

Excellant advice all, Gentleman.
WORK SAFE!!!

To all of my Brothers in Blue, WORK SAFE, NO 11-99's allowed!!
3/11/2010 7:25 PM #8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6

Re: Advice for trainees

Another common mistake that I find that rookies make is when they do make a mistake and you correct them, they question your decision. Yes, it is a good thing for a young officer to ask questions, but when somebody with experience points out what they have done wrong and calls you on it, that doesn't sit well with me. Don't forget youngsters, we've been there and done that, and as FTO's we are there to CYA for you. We have made the same mistakes and we are only looking out for you.

To all of my Brothers in Blue, WORK SAFE, NO 11-99's allowed!!
3/18/2010 9:16 PM #9
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 215

Re: Advice for trainees

My advice to rookies? You don't know everything. So keep your mouth shut or that fact will become glaringly obvious, much to your chagrin.
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