Telecommunications FTO Program

This comprehensive training course is designed for Communications Field Training Officers (CTOs) who are new to the role, as well as CTO Program Managers and communications center shift supervisors seeking to enhance their expertise. The program equips participants with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively train newly hired telecommunicators within their agencies.

Throughout this 16-hour course, you will explore the multifaceted responsibilities of CTOs and master legally defensible standardized evaluation procedures through interactive discussion and hands-on exercises. The curriculum covers two distinct CTO program structures, required program documentation, and strategies for developing remedial training action plans to address performance gaps. The program also addresses the sensitive topic of trainee terminations and how to handle these situations appropriately.

The instructional approach is rooted in the nationally recognized and legally defensible training and evaluation methodology originally developed by the San Jose Police Department. This methodology has been adopted by public safety agencies throughout the country and is recognized by CALEA accreditation standards. The course enables you to either establish a new CTO program from the ground up or significantly strengthen an existing program. Instructors bring extensive national consulting experience and were instrumental in developing and operating CTO/FTO programs within their own agencies.

Topics covered include:

• Mandatory CTO program forms and documentation
• Types of CTO program structures
• Daily trainee evaluation procedures
• Rating scale application and interpretation
• Standardized Evaluation Guidelines
• Writing objective narrative trainee evaluation reports
• Developing and implementing remedial training plans
• Working with training checklists

Target Audience: This course is ideal for public safety agency telecommunicators conducting field training of new hires, communication center shift supervisors overseeing CTOs, FTO program managers, and communication center managers who have not previously completed a basic dispatcher FTO program or have been away from FTO responsibilities for more than five years.

Course Duration: 16 hours

Instructor: Mark Whitby

Scheduled Sessions:

Session 1: January 26-27, 2027 | Jacksonville, Florida | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | $595.00

Session 2: July 27-28, 2027 | Jacksonville, Florida | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM | $595.00

Location: Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224