OLDER BROTHER SYNDROME: How to avoid developing trainer dependency

Older Brother Syndrome: A condition where an older sibling and younger sibling develop co-dependency between other.

 When my boys were young (aged 2 and 7), my older son continually helped his little brother. A lot. To the point where my younger son stopped talking or asking for things. He would simply grab his older brother by the hand, drag him into the kitchen, and point. And why not, when he so reliably got that at which he pointed?

 Many police departments use a Field Training program where much of the early stage is best described as a paid “ride-a-long” for the new Probationary Police Officer (PPO). The Field Training Officer (FTO) performs the vast majority of the work, while bringing the PPO along to observe. Together, they provide great services and make great arrests, contacts, investigations, and traffic stops to gain experience for the trainee. But for the most part, the FTO runs the show. This is where "The Older Brother Syndrome" starts.

 In traveling around the country facilitating The Adaptive FTO, I am blessed to meet a variety of dedicated FTOs from a broad range of police agencies – large, small, rural, urban, well-funded, poorly funded. Because the classes tend to have cross-sections of all these environments, the attendees (current and prospective FTOs) share their experiences and gather fresh solutions to challenges they have encountered in their own experience with the field training process.

 One oft-cited issue is the situation when a PPO, who was doing well with a particular FTO, finds him/herself struggling after transitioning to a different FTO. In some cases, the seemingly well-functioning PPO ends up being terminated.

In two recent The Adaptive FTO courses, we more deeply explored this issue. As luck would have it, the two involved (1st & 2nd Phase) FTOs were present. 

 The circumstances were similar:

1.    PPO performed well with the first FTO.

2.    Problems began when PPO transitioned to the second FTO

3.    Problems included:

a.    making decisions;

b.    engaging with citizens, complainants, or suspected criminals;

c.     displaying confidence and command presence.

 I asked each of the 1st Phase FTOs "Who was doing the work?" Each answered that most of the activity and contacts were initiated by the FTO. 

 I then asked the 2nd Phase FTOs "Who was doing the work?" They responded that the PPO should have been, because of where they were chronologically or how they were expected to be progressing in their training phases. 

 The particular FTO program model(s) these agencies adopted and used is irrelevant. While it's not the fault of the FTO, it is a product of the way they were trained to be FTOs. 

Building skills that will be relied upon often, must begin early in the field training and learning process.

 Building skills that will be relied upon often, must begin early in the field training and learning process. How early? Let's try on the first day. For years I introduced day-off schedules, chain-of-command, or the ever-important computer network password. Why? Because they were first on the check-list! All things the trainee will eventually need-to-know, but on the first day they more accurately can be categorized as nice-to-know. 

Work on those things the very first day that the PPO needs-to-know. They will serve as a base for everything else.

 These include:

 Decision-making

Communication Skills

Radio Usage

Driving

Citizen Contacts

Work on those things the very first day that the PPO needs-to-know.

 And I'll repeat myself, because it's important: "on the first day!" Allow the PPO to make non-critical decisions. What's a non-critical decision? While demonstrating how you make a traffic stop, ask the PPO if a citation should be issued. Whatever the answer, go with it. But the answer will provide an entry into a discussion about:

 Discretion

Traffic Law

Department Expectation

Officer Safety

Court Procedures

 It's not just about checking off a box, covering policy & procedure, and allowing the PPO to do only what the FTO allows. The law enforcement environment is non-linear. Calls do not come in a defined order; they just happen. But because of the checklist, we have a tendency to teach or present in a linear, step-by-step process.   

 The ultimate goal of the FTO program (and through it, the FTO) is to develop a trainee who can function in a solo-status. I believe we should up that goal into developing a trainee who can think critically, make lawful and ethical decisions, and can converse with a citizen or suspect with relative ease. The PPO needs to "practice" with skills in the real law enforcement environment; Start slow but start early. 

 While the "Big Brother Syndrome" may make some FTOs feel important, eventually you’re going to get tired of being dragged around by your sleeves.

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Thom Dworak is an Instructor + Content Provider for The Virtus Group Inc. Thom’s signature course is The Adaptive FTO, a field training method that combines Emotional Intelligence, Lawful and Ethical Decision Making, Critical Thinking and a millennial-proof feedback model. 

Click HERE for The Adaptive FTO training calendar. For more information about or to bring The Adaptive FTO your area, email [email protected]  Follow Thom on twitter @dworakt.