The National Association of Field Training Officers continues preparing your Field Training Unit for the challenges of 21st century policing by providing a comprehensive and client-oriented curriculum. NAFTO, in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety, is proud to offer our Basic Field Training Officer Course in Cedar Falls, IA, a 10-minute drive from the Waterloo Regional Airport or a 1 hour drive from the Eastern Iowa Airport. This training is designed for personnel entering Field Training Units in Patrol, Detention, Communications, and Support Services.

Basic FTO School

Field Training Officers train and evaluate career candidates in preparation for solo duty in law enforcement, corrections, and communications. Our Basic 3 Day School will provide the new FTO with the tools necessary to train and evaluate career candidates during the field training process.

NAFTO's Basic FTO School is a nationally recognized model for preparing experienced patrol officers for a career in field training. The San Jose Model, Reno Model, and Modified San Jose Model are discussed. The course focuses on the FTO themselves, and how they can improve their interpersonal and instruction skills to increase trainee retention. The classes incorporate a variety of learning activities, including group work, case law discussion, and video scenarios.

This 24-hour class covers such topics as Intro to FTO, Adult Learning, Generational Leadership, Standardized Evaluations Guidelines, Ethics, Equal Opportunity Employment, Civil Liability, and Officer Safety. Each block of study is directed at the Field Training Officer, and ways to improve their teaching, work product, and approach to today's Officer in Training. Information includes motivating different generations of trainees, career survival for the FTO, and liability pertaining to evaluations. Unlike most schools, NAFTO does not focus on a single model of field training.  NAFTO offers techniques and skills that can be applied within any training model.