Field Training Program

Candidates come to our Agency having already completed the Basic Law Enforcement (Police) Academy as outlined in Florida State Statutes and governed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Standards. Candidates must pass the State of Florida written examination before being considered for employment.Once a candidate has completed a Ride-Along with one of our Field Training Officers they are scheduled for an oral board with staff from the department. Once accepted into the Agency, the new recruit completes a new hire orientation period before transitioning into the Field Training Program with a Field Training Officer (F.T.O.). The Field Training Program consists of 4 phases of training, totaling 16 weeks (640 hours), with daily observation reports (D.O.R.) completed each shift, documenting the progression of the recruit. The recruit is assigned written examinations throughout the entire process which help show their strengths as well as areas that might need improvement. At the conclusion of the Field Training Program the recruit reports before a panel of staff and trainers for a last oral board review of the training received. This assures staff that the recruit possesses the nec-essary knowledge and tools to be successful in the field, meeting the needs of the community and our Agency.