The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Field Training and Evaluation Program has been
designed and implemented so that the following objectives may be met:
1. To produce a highly trained and positively motivated Deputy Sheriff capable of
meeting or exceeding standards of performance required by the Sheriff's Office.
2. To provide equal and standardized training to all newly hired patrol deputies
and to provide remedial training in those areas where deficiencies are identified.
3. To build on the foundation of knowledge given at the Academy, thereby creating
an environment in which the recruit may develop new skills as well as increase proficiency
in those acquired in the academic setting.
4. To improve the department screening process by providing on the job observation
of each recruit's performance.
5. To establish an appraisal system which is valid and job related, utilizing a
standardized and systematic approach to the documented measurement of probationary
deputy performance.
6. To establish career paths within the Sheriff's Office by providing qualified
deputies with additional training and opportunities to develop leadership skills.
7. To ultimately increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Sheriff's
Office by enhancing the climate of professionalism and competency demanded by ethical
standards of law enforcement.
The Field Training and Evaluation Program pairs a Recruit Deputy with a Field Training
Officer (FTO) for fourteen weeks. During that time the Recruit will be exposed to
three different FTOs. The Recruit will work in different areas of the county and
work different shifts. The Field Training Program is intended to give the Probationary
Deputy instruction, direction, supervision, guidance and experience in order to
develop judgment, efficiency and good habits of conduct and appearance. The field
training period also serves to aid in determining if the Probationary Deputy has
all the requisites to become a permanent member of the Manatee County Sheriff's
Office. Probationary Deputies shall notice that the Field Training Program is divided
into phases; after completion of a phase, the Probationary Deputy will be assigned
to a new F.T.O. for the next phase. During the last two weeks, the Probationary
Deputy will return to the original F.T.O. for final evaluation.