Field Training Phases

The Nixa Police Department's Field Training Program consists of six phases. These phases apply to both full-time recruits and reserve recruits. Each phase must be successfully completed before advancement into the next phase.

Phase 1

• NPD In-House Academy- This will expose the Probationary Officer to NPD's training expectations and provide a foundation for them to build upon.

Phase 2

• Probationary Officer will ride and observe the FTO for at least 40 hours (1 work week). The Probationary Officer should not initiate any enforcement activities unless necessary due to an emergency situation. This will allow the Probationary Officer exposure to our expected performance standards.

Phase 3

• Probationary Officers will perform law enforcement duties for at least 56 working days (14 weeks). FTOs will allow the Probationary Officer to perform simple tasks initially and build upon acceptable performance of these tasks by allowing the Probationary Officer to assume responsibility in more complex activities.

Phase 4

• Probationary Officer will be “shadowed” for 40 hours (one work week) by the FTO. While working together in the same patrol vehicle, the FTO will be in plain clothes and the Probationary Officer in uniform. During this phase, the principle role of the FTO is to observe and evaluate the Probationary Officer’s performance and ability to advance into Phase 5.

Phase 5

• The Probationary Officer will be “shadowed” for 40 hours (one work week) by the FTO Supervisor or appointee. Upon acceptable completion, the Probationary Officer will then advance to Phase 6.

Phase 6

• The Probationary Officer will be released to perform law enforcement duties solo for the balance of their six-month probationary period. During the balance, the Probationary Officer will be indirectly supervised by the FTOs.