Camera Car FTOs 

The FTO Unit has installed a camera in a patrol car in each of the four districts and in one of the patrol cars assigned to the FTO Unit.  These cameras record video and sound of incidents/traffic stops visible from the windshield of the patrol car.  Two FTOs per district are trained to run the camera cars.  It is mandatory for OITs to ride at least one shift in Phase I & II with the Camera Car FTO.  Specific training issues for that phase are addressed by the Camera Car FTO.  Poor officer safety habits that are difficult to explain can be easily demonstrated by use of the camera car, for instance: the habit of turning an officer's gun side to a subject, speaking like a robot, improper distance between the OIT and a subject during interviews, etc.

Traffic Unit FTOs 

Mesa PD has an excellent and well equipped Traffic Division.  When traffic related issues arise, the FTO Unit asks the Traffic Division for assistance.  Realizing that traffic officers were a valuable resource for the FTO Unit, the FTO Unit created the position of Traffic FTO.  Currently there are four Traffic FTOs overseen by a Traffic Sergeant.  The Traffic FTOs attend the same intensive thirty hour block of training as all other FTOs.  Traffic FTOs also teach the DUI portion of the Pre-FTO Week and ride with each OIT twice during the FTO Program.

  A situation developed where officers did not know how to recognize or complete DUI cases.  After polling officers, it was found that officers were not exposed to DUI cases in the FTO Program and consequently did not look for or know how to process a DUI case.  The FTO Unit decided to require that all OITs complete at least six DUIs by the end of Phase III.  With the help of the Traffic FTOs, OITs are now exposed to the Traffic Unit, the DUI Van, and the proper procedures for processing DUIs. 

As more and more OITs became proficient in DUIs, the Patrol Division became proficient in DUI enforcement.  This strategy can be used when new procedures need to be introduced to a patrol division over a period of time. 

Other Unit FTO Programs 

The SWAT Team, Desk Officers, Detention Officers, the Air Unit and Crime Scene Technicians all came to the FTO Unit and asked for assistance in setting up training programs for their units.  Using the resources of the National Association of Field Training Officers (NAFTO), the Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Field Training Officers (AZNAFTO), Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST), and our own training experiences, the Mesa FTO Unit set up programs to train officers for these specific and technically oriented units within Mesa PD.

FTO Patch                

For years, different members suggested ways to designate FTOs by various means of markings on the uniform.  Every time a suggestion was made, the FTOs took a voice vote on the idea.  No one wanted to be identified as one that wanted more insignias on the uniform.  Additionally, most ideas were to have some kind of metal insignia that would have to be kept clean and polished.  However, when the FTO patch idea was brought forth, the FTOs took a secret ballot and the outcome was overwhelmingly in favor of the patch.  All FTOs wear the patch.  The department also has FTOs in Detention and Teleserve (desk officers that deal with the public in person and by phone) that wear the FTO patch.