After being hired as a police officer...?

Question

What does the probabtionary period consist of? I know you have to train with an experienced officer...

Answer 1

The actual time period changes for different departments. It can be a few months or a couple years. It exists to give both sides an opportunity to assess the other.
The department has a chance to see the rookie in action & to see if he/she can consistently put into use the theories taught in the academy. It also give the department a chance to more easily separate a rookie who does not meet the everyday standards.
The officer has an opportunity to show his/her abilities while also getting to know the department better. There are quite a few officers who move on right after probation or may already be applying to other departments while still on probation.
As for what to expect, that too varies. Out west the most common approach is 4 stages [the I am aware of].
Stage 1 - the rookie is an observer. He/she is in uniform & rides with an FTO, observing how things are done on the street v. how the academy teaches. The workload is pretty minimal as the rookie gets to know how the department expects him to perform.
Stage 2 - the rookie starts to be more involved. Some of the easier calls are handed off to the rookie with the FTO right there to answer questions & give quidance. Toward the end of this stage, the rookie will take more & more difficult situations.
Stage 3 - the FTO goes into plains clothes & observes as the rookie handles the calls. The FTO is no longer in uniform so the public reacts with the rookie. But the FTO is also right there. It is now the FTO who is the observer - watching to see if the rookie follows department policies & procedures.
Stage 4 - the rookie no longer is assigned with an FTO. He/she works his/her own beat & handles calls just like the other officers. BUT the rookie is still being evaluated more frequently to see how he/she fits into the department's needs.

I believe the most common evaluation period is one year but while on probation the rookie is evaluated every month or every 3 months. This gives the department brass a lot more info on the rookie's abilities. It also gives the rookie a lot more input as to how he/she needs to improve & what are strengths.

As I said, it all varies by department but I find a lot of departments following something along these lines. POST has quidelines to follow that apply as for the FTO period.

Answer 2

People here have posted some good answers.

Basically it depends on the department. I have seen PDs with really short FTO/probationary programs. I have seen others with rather long ones.

Typically you will spend 3-12 weeks with your FTO (field training officer) and he will basically show you the ropes. You may only have one, or your may have a couple.

Depending on the police department, you may rotate out of a couple different units, traffic, community action, ect. during you FTO program, so you get exposed to all aspects of the job.

At most PDs, the FTO has a lot of influence on whether the police department should hold on to you or let you go. The biggest things they look for are officer safety, geography (how well you know your district and the city as a whole) and how well you interact with people. Officer safety probably being the number one thing that gets people fired.

After your official FTO program you will be on your own for another 3-12 months as part of your probationary program. During that time, you will be watched more closely then other officers and during that time, the department generally reserves the right to fire you for any reason. After that, a sergeant usually writes up a long evaluation of you and if it's all good, you are then no longer considered a "probationary" officer.

Answer 3

Most agencies across the country have a one year probationary period once an officer begins his field (FTO) training. Many agencies use the San Jose model of training which consists of 4 phases of training. Each phase is approx one month long and gets more difficult as you advance. Phase 1 is basic things like radio, reports, policies and safety procedures. Phase 2 and 3 get more in depth. Phase 4 the officer from your phase one gets you back but he is put in plain clothes and you are required to do everything while he observes to see what you have learned. If at any time during your one year probation period you are not meeting the agencies goals or criteria they can ask you to resign or terminate you for just about any reason. After your year probation ends you normally will get union and other employment protections so it is important to work hard always and walk the straight line. Good luck and all my best!

Answer 4

It depends on a combination of the policies for the agency you work for, the need to get you out of probation and your ability to learn departmental procedures. Some police departments, especially in small towns, have a very quick probationary period lasting as little as a week. This is mainly due to the small size of the department creating a need for officers to be able to work alone and not having enough personnel to allow officers to double up for very long. On the other hand, larger cities and agencies could have you on the buddy system for over a month. I know of one individual in San Diego who was on probation for three months. Furthermore, some juristictions have cops partnering up together as their policy meaning you'll always be with someone. That's the generic answer, for something more specific I'd have to know which police agency you're going to be working for.

Answer 5

It depends on the agency. When my husband had his last police job, he had no field training because he had expereince (a town similar to Mayberry). Now, he works for the state and, after a 6 month academy, he has 4 or 5 months of field training. It can also vary within an agency because of a new officer's experience and performance during his/her field training.

Answer 6

Most deparments , it is a 1 year period where they evaluate how you are adapting to the job in areas such as understanding and applying the law, public relations, and overall professionalism. Whether you remain a police officer after this time, hinges on the recommendations of your field training officer [FTO].

Answer 7

it will judge the ability for you to do the job and also test your knowledge of the job. you will be given updates about what you need to improve on. if by the end of your probationary period you have not improved you can be terminated.retired 25 years as a deputy sheriff

Answer 8

That's where they learn to cheat the system without getting caught, and violating civil rights without letting citizens know.

Answer 9

U already went thru the tough part, this should be easy. Depends on the size of your town, and don't stress. Good Luck!

Answer 10

you have to ride with a field training officer for three weeks in the morning, evening and night shifts and then your evaluated for two weeks after that..then you have it made..