NCJ Number
122116
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1989) Pages: 37-40
Date Published
1989
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The University of Central Florida Police Department (Orlando, Fla.) uses a field training program that involves patrol officers for 2 months of working cases with a full-time investigator.
Abstract
Through this program, patrol officers learn the subsequent actions taken in cases after the patrol officer has completed the preliminary investigation. The department recently took steps to improve the program by identifying the investigator's skills and knowledge not usually part of a patrol officer's training and experience. The "San Jose" model recruit field training manual was then modified to reflect the skills needed by a latent investigator. The training manual contains the following guidance and forms: program guidelines, a weekly observation report, evaluation guidelines, a training task list, a trainee case log, investigation final training summary, and the trainee's program evaluation. Weaknesses in investigative skills due to lack of training and experience are addressed by using inhouse training aids. These include videotapes, inservice training material, and career development course notes and handouts. The trainee is not tested due to the short time allowed for practicing skills during the training period. The final evaluation, however, identifies latent investigative strengths and weaknesses that determine the trainee's potential for promotion into the criminal investigation division. 3 figures.