What is The Adaptive FTO Program?

Imagine a true concept-based, critically thought, emotionally intelligent, evidence-based, and functional problem-solving Field Training program that adheres to contemporary adult learning and performance science. That would be awesome, wouldn’t it?

The Adaptive FTO program is that and much more.

The Adaptive FTO program was developed through 26 years of practical experience as a Field Training Officer (FTO), FTO Coordinator, and through instructor-level courses that certify experienced police officers, corrections officers, and deputies to be FTOs. The foundation of the program is research-based, with the very best represented: Matrix Insights, Patrick Van Horne, Carol Dweck, Simon Sinek, Daniel Goleman, Daniel Kahneman, Gus Lee, Malcolm Gladwell, Gary Klein, Col. John Boyd and others.

There are five key elements in The Adaptive FTO:

1.    Emotional Intelligence

2.    Decision Making

3.    Critical Thinking

4.    Training Philosophy

5.    Leadership

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

The EQ pillar focuses on the trainee’s ability to be self-aware and self-regulate his or her emotions. Police officers must remain cool and collected during the height of human conflict; it’s much too easy to give into the fight-or-flight instinct. And many times the response is inappropriate. The key is in recognizing and STOPPING an overly emotional outburst…one which might be regretful in hindsight. Hitting the proverbial Pause Button is a strategy that allows the officer to stop and THINK, when there is time.

Another key concept is on developing empathy. Some argue that empathy cannot be taught; but humans are, in fact, wired to connect with each other at an emotional level. Recognizing someone’s emotional state and empathizing with them helps in de-escalating tense, fearful, frustrating, or stressful situations.

Officers with high EQ tend to be self-motivators and better decision-makers. They understand the WHY, both personally and organizationally. Additionally, being able to recognize and control emotions can maximize the time and mental processing for better decision-making. While it does not remove emotion from the process, it does provide for more control for The Professor (The Thinking Brain, for analysis and rationale) than The Caveman (The Emotional Brain, resorting to biases and fears).

 Decision-Making

 Officers are constantly called on to make decisions…varying in significance from deciding to write a traffic citation (Non-critical decision)…to making a criminal arrest…. to taking a human life (Critical Decision).

The principals of Ethical and Lawful Police Operations guide the cyclical decision-making process in The Adaptive FTO. The officer cycles through three key concepts: Priority of Life, Mission/Objective and Strategy/Tactics – all driven by the (non-) URGENCY to act. This decision making process teaches the Probationary Police Officer (PPO) how to think, rather than what to think. 

Critical Thinking

It is not just that an officer makes a decision; the decision needs to be deconstructed and evaluated after each incident. The Adaptive FTO uses a combination of feedback (along with critical thinking questions) to Hot Wash an incident. Reviewing what the trainee did, along with why s/he chose the course of action aides in bias recognition and creative problem-solving skills. Bias is not something that is bad; we need patterns of previous experiences to help us make sense of the world. Racial bias is bad. 

 This critical thinking examination helps to explore alternatives, which develops adaptability and resiliency in the PPO. I have a favorite saying, "There is one wrong and many rights." Developing adaptive thinkers requires breaking down training silos, working within allowable parameters or boundaries of policy, and (heaven help us!) even dis-regard policy when the most appropriate solution is found outside the policy manual. The Adaptive FTO creates independent thinkers, not mind-numb robots seeking checklists.

Training Philosophy

A new program requires a new training philosophy (…and I can hear the collective groan already). Cops hate two things: The way things are. And change. Well, if the way things are ain't working out there is only one thing left to do. The shift in training philosophy starts with the PPO not being evaluated on task or skill until they have been trained in it. It is not fair to evaluate someone on performing a function they have yet to have been trained in.

Daily training goals are a necessity for the FTO. They are documented and commented on the Training and Evaluation Report. It is through these daily LEARNING objectives the FTO creates “dots” for the PPO to “connect.” Rather than teaching specific responses to specific calls (industrialized silo training) the FTO provides principle-based strategies for the PPO to solve unique problems. Once enough dots have been connected, the evaluation process begins. Throughout the program there are a combination of on-going training and evaluation as the PPO continues to develop.

Failing Forward is not just a great book by John Maxwell but the overarching FTO philosophy of The Adaptive FTO. Trainees are going to make mistakes. Rather than treating errors as the worse thing that can happen, the FTO uses errors or sub-par performance as learning opportunities to grow new knowledge. 

 The feedback process for The Adaptive FTO is Socratic and inquiry-based. Using the Adaptive Feedback Method, the FTO asks questions of the PPO about their behavior and performance during an incident. This serves our PPO in the “Millennial generation” well; they are a feedback-driven generation who are accustomed to supportive and positive feedback. The Adaptive Feedback method, coupled with critical thinking evaluation question, develops the PPO’s ability to self-assess problem-diagnosis, contextual significance of information, performance, and decision-making.

Leadership

Growing Courage? is the flagstone leadership program of The Virtus Group. It is integrated into The Adaptive FTO to influence courageous new leaders when they are most impressionable. Through a Growing Courage mindset, the FTO instills the ideals of:

·      Mindset – one of growth instead of status quo

·      Vulnerability – the need to be open

·      Respect – maintaining a dignified attitude

·      Self-Reflection – receiving and using critique to grow

·     Resilience – bouncing back from failures or setbacks 

By developing these ideals early on, the FTO mentors the cognitive dissonance in the PPO. It is through this cognitive dissonance that PPOs grow and adapt to their new leadership role in society, as well as build a healthy attitude on the responsibilities of policing a free citizenry.

The Adaptive FTO program is a true concept-based, critically thought, emotionally intelligent, evidence-based, and functional problem-solving Field Training program that adheres to contemporary adult learning and performance science. And yes, it is awesome. 

For more information about The Adaptive FTO, here is link to a short interview with Police One about the program.

Follow Thom on Twitter at @dworakt and sign up for The Virtus Group newsletter at VirtusLeadership.com. 

The Adaptive FTO program will be in Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri and Minnesota. For more information about or to host The Adaptive FTO program contact Thom at [email protected]