Train Towards Success in 40 hours, No Less
As we are winding down the year, we just completed a Basic Class in Everett, WA. The great group of attendees included two from the Marysville Police Records Division who both did a great job.
What if you don’t pass a task element? Not surprisingly, it was noted that several students who stated they were trained by utilizing the San Jose Model, never saw the Standardized Evaluation Guidelines. They recalled receiving some kind of “numbers,” but were not at all familiar with what they represented. One student also said they were told if they perform a task element, and it was unacceptable, they are rated a “1” for the day. As previously discussed, this is an absolute incorrect use or misunderstanding of the Evaluation Rules. One of the Evaluation Rules states: “If any portion of the behavior is unacceptable, the behavior for the day is unacceptable.” This does not mean the student receives a “1,” but rather the student cannot receive an acceptable rating in that specific Task Element for the day. Ratings of “1”, “2,” and “3” are all unacceptable numerical ratings.
By the end of the week students had a much better understanding of the proper use of the numerical rating system as evidenced by their performance during their final.
As always, course critiques were received and here are a few of the responses:
“An excellent and engaging class. Immensly practical and tailored to the training environment in Washington. Not a dull day – Dave was incredible.” ~Officer Madison, Issaquah Police
“Great class instructor. Harris did a great job keeping it relevant and engaging. 40 hours of Power Point would normally be rough to get through but he was able to relay the information while using examples from his own substantial experience. I really enjoyed the class and will recommend it to others.” ~Officer Tom Land, Everett Police
“The material presented was elevated by the instructor whose first-hand experience was a valuable resource for the class. The classroom material was supported well with real-world examples and constructive ‘what if’ games.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class. I felt the content was realistic, relatable and tied-in to the goal of each day.”
“Amazing class with clear instruction. I really enjoyed the stories and enthusiasm throughout.”
“Awesome class, instructor was engaging and showed true passion for teaching. Really enjoyed all of the practical work done throughout the class.”
What if you missed this class? This was the last Basic Field Training Officer Academy Class for 2026, but you can attend and/or host a class for 2027! We also have a Refresher scheduled in October that will conclude the year in Washington state. We head to Louisiana in October (see our list of upcoming classes here). 2027 is booking fast! We already have several classes scheduled in Washington, with two scheduled in Everett, one in Union Gap, and one in Whatcom County.
What if you would like to host a class in your city? If you are at all interested in hosting one of our classes, please contact us soon as the calendar is filling. We hope to see you and your team.
To all of our FTOs – Remember: your primary goal is to Train Towards Success!
