Field Training Unit

The mission of a Field Training Unit is to provide newly hired police officers with the instruction & experience necessary to become the finest & best trained officers possible. The Visalia Police Department Field Training Unit places stringent levels of performance requirements on its recruits in order to maintain a high standard of professionalism. 

The demands placed on police officers require them to maintain a vast amount of knowledge. In order to be effective and safe, officers must learn quickly and be able to apply their knowledge to field situations. Prior to being hired as an officer, one must first complete a six month training academy that is both exhaustive and demanding. Once hired, it is the responsibility of the Field Training Officer to reinforce & polish the new officer's basic skills. 

Using a structured in-service training program that consists of 16 weeks, the Field Training Officer documents every phase of the new officer's progress. The trainee is quizzed & evaluated on a continual basis. Being "good enough" is never an acceptable standard. The Field Training Officer needs to ensure that the trainee steadily improves through his or her training. 

The Visalia Police Department Field Training Unit is committed to developing exceptionally trained police officers capable of providing the highest level of service to our community.