Patrol Training

All deputies assigned to the Patrol Division must have completed the Patrol Field Training and Evaluation Program. After completion of training most deputies are assigned to the Patrol Unit but may be assigned to Directed Patrol or Community Policing at the Division Commanders discretion.

The Patrol Field Training and Evaluation Program consist of an intense 13 week training program under the direct supervision of a Field Training Officer (FTO).

This program is designed to:

• Provide a highly trained and positively motivated Deputy Sheriff capable of meeting or exceeding standards of performance required by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
• Build on the foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities learned at the academy, thereby creating an environment in which the recruit deputy may develop new skills as well as increase proficiency in those acquired in the academic setting.
• Ultimately increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Sheriff's Office by enhancing the climate of professionalism and competency demanded by the ethical standards of law enforcement.

All FTO’s must apply for an open position, pass a personnel file review and an oral interview board. The final selection is made by the supervisors of the field training program. Currently, the training program consists of a Lieutenant, a Sergeant, and five Field Training Officers. Their duties are in addition to their current assignments.

The program consists of three four-week Phases and a Shadow Week:

• Phase I: The absolute basics of the job as well as skills that are considered necessary because of the exposure to potential danger and/or liability. This phase will cover Orientation to Patrol Division, Review of Training Manual. Must take and pass Radar Test. Practical exercise in Traffic Stops, Occupied Vehicle checks, Pedestrian checks. Recruits are evaluated weekly during this phase.
• Phase II: Introduced to progressively more difficult and advanced tasks. Review of Training Manual. Practical exercise in Felony Car Stops, Building Searches, and DUI enforcement. During this phase, the FTO will review those tasks previously accomplished and verify if the Recruit is prepared for Phase III. Recruits are evaluated daily during this phase.
• Phase III: A time of advanced learning and preparation for the final test, which will occur during the shadow week. At this phase the Recruit Deputy should be able to effectively perform the daily task of a Patrol Deputy with little or no assistance from their FTO. The shadow week consists of a Recruit Deputy soloing as a Patrol Deputy assigned to a district while an FTO provides assistance as needed. The Recruit Deputy will do all things normally expected of a Patrol Deputy. Recruits are evaluated weekly during this phase.

Recruit Deputies will also attend training and/or certification in: Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Intoxilyzer 8000 Certification, Patrol Rifle, Shotgun, Less-Lethal weapons, TASER training, Stop Sticks, Low Light environment training, Tint Meter, Report Writing, and Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Orientation.