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Police Training Officer Program (PTO)
Training to Problem Solve & Develop Community Partnerships
In 2009, the Elkhorn Police Department made a commitment to train existing and new officers using the Police Training Officer Program (PTO). The PTO program emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving.
The PTO model recognizes the importance of problem-solving skills in training a successful police officer.
The training model focuses on adult learning methods and problem based learning to create a positive experience for the trainee and trainer.
The PTO Program exists in conjunction with a Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) philosophy. While it is not mandatory for an agency to be a community-policing organization to use this model, that was the impetus for its creation.
What is Community-Oriented Policing?
There are two components to community policing: community partnership and problem-solving.
Community Partnership: Practiced in varying degrees by many law enforcement agencies in the U.S., this value-driven approach to providing police services functions at the neighborhood level and its success is tied to changes in police organizational culture. Community values must be determined and jurisdictions delineated by social boundaries rather than statistical areas. Law enforcement agencies must support their basic social institutions such as schools, recreation centers, and other groups providing valuable community services.
Problem-Solving: This component centers on a belief that crime and disorder can be analyzed as problems that are the result of underlying conditions, and that if these conditions are changed, the problems may be solved. Traditionally, police are seen as "crime fighters" as opposed to "problem solvers." Community-Oriented Policing and Problem Solving strategies try to fix the source of criminal activity rather than just try to preserve the peace
by arresting and prosecuting offenders.
This sounds like such a great concept--how come everybody doesn't do this?
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving strategies (COPPS) require a basic shift from traditional policing methods. For one thing, supervisors and managers must change their perspective as it pertains to leadership, and give street officers more authority. The inherent flexibility of the COPPS philosophy will not work for certain agencies, which demand a military-style structure and strong documentation in their training programs.
Briefly, how does the PTO Program work?
The trainers assign "street" problems to trainees and have them learn about policing in the context of solving those problems. Trainees work through responses with the help of their Police Training Officer.
The model uses a number of tools, including a learning matrix and problem-based learning exercises. Below is a sample of a learning matrix, showing "core competencies," which are specific skills, knowledge, and abilities that have been identified as essential for good policing.
Phase A Non-Emergency Incident Response |
Phase B Emergency Incident Response |
Phase C Patrol Activities |
Phase D Criminal Investigation |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
CORE COMPENTENCIES | ||||
Police Vehicle Operations | A1 | B1 | C1 | D1 |
Conflict Resolution | A2 | B2 | C2 | D2 |
Use of Force | A3 | B3 | C3 | D3 |
Local Procedures, Policies, Laws, Philosophies | A4 | B4 | C4 | D4 |
Report Writing | A5 | B5 | C5 | D5 |
Leadership | A6 | B6 | C6 | D6 |
Problem-Solving Sills | A7 | B7 | C7 | D7 |
Community Specific Problems | A8 | B8 | C8 | D8 |
Cultural Diversity & Special Needs Groups | A9 | B9 | C9 | D9 |
Legal Authority | A10 | B10 | C10 | D10 |
Individual Rights | A11 | B11 | C11 | D11 |
Officer Safety | A12 | B12 | C12 | D12 |
Communication Skills | A13 | B13 | C13 | D13 |
Ethics | A14 | B14 | C14 | D14 |
Lifestyle Stressors / Self-Awareness / Self-Regulation | A15 | B15 | C15 | D15 |
Learning Activities | Introduction of Neighborhood Portfolio Exercise Problem Based Learning Exercise |
Continuation of Neighborhood Portfolio Exercise Problem Based Learning Exercise |
Continuation of Neighborhood Portfolio Exercise Problem Based Learning Exercise |
Final Neighborhood Portfolio Presentation Problem Based Learning Exercise |
Evaluation Activities | Weekly Coaching and Training Reports | Weekly Coaching and Training Reports | Weekly Coaching and Training Reports | Weekly Coaching and Training Reports |
For instance, Phase A refers to Non-Emergency Incident Responses, and Cell A8 next to the Core Competency for "Community-Specific Problems" lists the following skills:
Trainee will identify different community-specific problems. Trainee will demonstrate proficiency in creating partnership and solving problems specific to the community or their geographic assignment. Each cell (A1 through D15) has a corresponding list of skills required to achieve competency in the areas listed. Additionally, there are a series of learning activities tied to each phase of study.