THE PROGRAM, BEGUN IN DECEMBER 1975, REPLACED THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM OF PLACING RECRUITS WITH ANY SENIOR OFFICER. FTO'S WERE ASSIGNED TO PATROL UNITS AND A FIELD TRAINING GUIDE WAS DEVELOPED. IT INCLUDED DISCUSSION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S HISTORY AND STRUCTURE, COMMON CRIMINAL OFFENSES, VEHICLE OPERATION, RADIO, PATROL, AND REPORT PROCEDURES, REQUIRED DEMONSTRATIONS AND SUPERVISED PRACTICE, AND AN INTERVIEW WITH A JUDGE. THE PROGRAM'S FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY TO A VARIETY OF TRAINING FORMATS (POST-ACADEMY TRAINING, MODULAR ACADEMY SCHEDULES, AND STRAIGHT TERM ACADEMY SCHEDULES) WERE ILLUSTRATED BY RECENT CHANGES IN ITS FORMAT AND DEPARTMENT RESPONSES TO DEMANDS FROM THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM HAS FOSTERED CAMARADERIE AMONG THE FIELD TRAINERS THEMSELVES. FTO SELECTION IS BASED ON DESIRE AND WILLINGNESS TO BE A TRAINER, ABILITY, EXPERIENCE, AND ENDORSEMENTS BY SUPERVISORS. FTO'S RECEIVE 40 HOURS OF BASIC TRAINING, PERIODIC INSERVICE EDUCATION, AND A FTO RESOURCE HANDBOOK. BOTH FORMAL EVALUATION FORMS AND INFORMAL METHODS ARE USED TO GATHER FEEDBACK. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED AND RESOLVED INCLUDE GAINING ACCEPTANCE FROM DISTRICT STATION COMMANDERS, OVERCOMING THE FTOS' APPREHENSIONS ABOUT ACCEPTANCE BY FIRSTLINE SUPERVISORS, DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING LIAISON WITH THE REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY, AND CONTROLLING THE PROGRAM'S ORIGINAL INTENT AND DIRECTION. EACH SQUAD CURRENTLY HAS TWO FTO'S WHO CONDUCT BOTH RECRUIT AND PEER TRAINING AND AUGMENT REGIONAL ACADEMY STAFF. THE PROGRAM HAS SUCCESSFULLY IMPROVED THE COUNTY'S FIELD TRAINING. (CFW)