One of your primary responsibilities as an FTO is to ensure your cadet is exposed to a wide variety of realistic and meaningful situations. This section outlines key topics and scenarios cadets should experience and understand before completing training.
Each scenario should be debriefed after completion to reinforce learning and identify areas for improvement.
Cadets should understand how to respond to high-risk and urgent calls for service, including:
Active shots fired
Officer down / panic button
Armed robbery or burglary in progress
High-speed pursuit backup
Hostage or barricade situations
Focus Areas:
Code 3 driving & radio traffic
Scene safety & perimeter setup
Chain of command at scenes
Coordination with other agencies (if applicable)
One of the most frequent interactions in law enforcement. Cadets should learn:
Standard traffic stop procedures
High-risk / felony stop protocols
Identifying signs of DUI or suspicious behavior
Citation vs arrest decisions
Searching and detaining properly
Focus Areas:
Approach angles and positioning
Officer safety and awareness
Clear radio communication
Documentation and citation writing
Understanding pursuit safety and policy is critical.
Initiating a pursuit
Calling it out over radio
Maintaining safe driving
PIT authorization and tactics
Proper termination and takedown
Focus Areas:
Communication under pressure
Pursuit termination decision-making
Transitioning to felony stop
Coordination with additional units
Cadets must be proficient in making arrests by the end of training.
Probable cause and reasonable suspicion
Search incident to arrest
Miranda rights
Transport and booking procedures
Charges and report documentation
Focus Areas:
Proper use of handcuffs
Handling resistance or non-compliance
Evidence collection
Detaining vs arresting – knowing the difference
Cadets should have a strong understanding of the use-of-force continuum.
Verbal commands
Non-lethal tools (taser, baton, etc.)
Firearm usage protocol
Deadly force decision-making
De-escalation techniques
Focus Areas:
Judging when force is justified
After-action reporting
Medical aid after use-of-force
Supervisory notification
Proper documentation is key to every case.
Narrative structure
Grammar, clarity, and professionalism
Use of proper penal and vehicle codes
Use of templates (if provided)
Logging evidence and suspects
Focus Areas:
Clear timelines in narratives
Objectivity and professionalism
Explaining officer actions in detail
Completing reports without prompting by end of Phase III