Addressing the Problem: Are We Generalizing?

Lately, I have been working on garnering more support from our regional agency's FTO programs. Over the past year, I have met with members of those organizations asking for their support. Frustrated with the lack of response, I found that I fit the definition of insanity; doing the same things over and over expecting a different result. Quite by accident, I ran across an article in Police One discussing the use of surveys to enhance academy training.

Foolish, I thought, how could I have missed the use of surveys? I have a survey link attached to the end of my signature line. The use of surveys sparked a renewed interest in seeking the previously mentioned request as anonymity should result in better feedback. I set out writing the questions for the survey when I recognized the questionnaire was too long. The benefit of running a training center is that I have access to two of our regional agencies’ personnel. Sheepishly, I brought up the same subject, but this time there was a different angle. The new approach was met with great support and provided a new vigor to my desire to create a better trainee.

During the discussion, I asked the FTO manager what they thought of the questions and whether those questions were appropriate to give me the feedback I wanted. In short, the manager thought the questions were good. However, the questions were not representative of the feedback he has received from the agency’s FTOs. Ok, now we are getting somewhere. I asked, what is the common feedback? His response was distilled down to three classifications: Report writing, professionalism, and officer presence.

Momentarily, I was stuck thinking about how can I write a questionnaire with three questions. As I pressed further, I asked if there were specific instances that addressed each of these topics. The discussion took an interesting turn. As he looked for representative samples and begin to give them to me, we both realized that in many instances, the initial questions I posed were what the FTOs had condensed into generalities. After the discussion, writing the new questions was easy and it was immediately converted into a survey.

What was reaffirmed is that whether you are the FTO, FTO Sgt, FTO manager, or training center director, I challenge each of you to look at the trainee, FTO, or program and ask; am I generalizing the problem? We must remember that it is the specific articulable facts that lead to reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Let’s remember to elevate our view and look for detailed information that supports or dismisses our position. Identifying the specifics creates a more streamlined approach to addressing a problem that addresses performance issues and enhances outcomes.

- Gerald Hunter

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John Gamin Mike Schentrup Wayne South