Provided 323-26
City of Richmond and the Richmond Police Officers Association 2026 Side Letter Agreement - Field Training Officer
The City of Richmond and the Richmond Police Officers Association (collectively "the Parties") have met and conferred in good faith regarding the Field Training Officer special assignment.
The Parties have agreed to amend Section 32.11 of their Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU"') with the term of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. The 5.0% FTO incentive pay will replace the six hours overtime compensation on a prospective basis effective the first full pay period following City Council adoption of this Agreement. The Parties have further agreed to revisions to Police Department Policy 420, a copy of which is attached to this Side Letter.
This Side Letter Agreement constitutes the Parties' entire agreement regarding Section 32.11 and there shall be no changes to the MOU other than those detailed below.
Memorandum of Understanding
Jut
The Parties agree to amend Section 32.11 as follows:
7-31-26
«32.11 FIELDPOLICE TRAINING OFFICER (PI0F10) 7-31-26
A. This subsection 32.11(A) expires the first full pay period following City Council adoption of the Parties' 2026 Side Letter Agreement - Field Training Officer: While assigned to train recruit officers, PETOs shall receive six (6) hours of overtime for every forty (40) hour block of training each week. Substitute PTOs FTOs who are required to train recruit officers on a day-by- day basis due to the absence of the regularly assigned PTO, shall receive one (1) hour of overtime for each full day (10 hours) of completed recruit training and the assigned PTO-FTO shall receive one (1) hour of overtime for each full day of completed recruit training that took place during that week. Officers assigned to train Reserve Officers shall also be compensated with six (6) hours of overtime at the completion of each forty (40) hour block of training certified to the Reserve Coordinator. Additional overtime compensation can be granted by the PTO-FTO Coordinator or Watch Commander when specific training needs have been identified.
POs-FTOs assigned to the Orientation Program shall receive six (6) hours of overtime for every forty (40) hour block of training each week.
B. This subsection 32.11(B) goes into effect the first full pay period following City Council adoption of the Parties' 2026 Side Letter Agreement - Field Training Officer: Each calendar year, the Chief of Police, subject to City Manager approval, may assign a quantity of Officers to 1 the Field Training Officer ("FTO) assignment. The quantity of FTOs is expected to fluctuate up and down based upon Police Department anticipated training needs. This special assignment will be for a one calendar year term unless the employee is promoted or decertified as a FTO.
Employees assigned as FTOs will routinely and consistently train recruit and/or reserve officers.
ETOs will be paid an incentive in the amount of 5.0% of their base wage for all hours in paid status during their FTO assignment. FTOs may reapply for this special assignment each year but there is no guarantee of selection as an FTO from one year to the next. Non-selection to be an ETO is not subjeet to appeat or grievanee. The quantity of FTOs is expected to fluctuate up and down based upon Police Department anticipated training needs. Selection as a FTO and assignment to particular trainees are therefore fully at the discretion of the Chief of Police and FTOs serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Police. Non-selection to be an FTO is therefore not subject to appeal or grievance."
For the City of Richmond: For the Richmond Police Officers Association:
Ba that
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231-26 Date: 7-31-26
2 Richmond Police Department Provided
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
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Field Training Officer Program
Policy Richmond Police Department
420 Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Field Training Officer Program TA JUl
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420.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Field Training Officer Program is intended to provides a standardized program process to facilitate the officer's help police officer trainees transition from the academic setting to the actual practical performance of general law enforcement duties of the Richmond Police Department.
It is the policy of this department to assign all new police officer trainees to a structured field training officer program that is designed to prepare the new officer to perform a patrol assignment, them for patrol duties and possess all ensure they develop the skills needed necessary to operate in a perform safely, effectively and professionally manner.
420.1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Responsibility for program administration is assigned to the Patrol Division Command working in conjunction with the Administrative Division Training Unit. 420.1.2 CRITERIA FOR NREW OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS TO THE PROGRAM (a) A police trainee who has completed a basic academy course or who has less than two (2) years of law enforcement experience prior to employment with the Department will be assigned to the FTO program.
(b) A lateral Officer who has more than two (2) years of law enforcement experience prior to employment with the Department may be assigned to a modified field training program.
(c) Release from the program will be determined by the Chief of Police based upon the recommendations of the FTO, the Probationary Review Board, and the trainee or lateral Officer.
420.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER - SELECTION AND TRAINING
The Field Training Officer (FTO) is an experienced officer trained in the art of supervising, training and evaluating entry level and lateral police officers in the application of their previously acquired knowledge and skills.
420.2.1 SELECTION PROCESS
FTOs will be selected based on the following requirements:
(a) Desire to be an FTO
(b) Minimum of four years of patrol experience, two of which shall be with this Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/15, All Rights Reserved ***DRAFT*** F.T.O (Field Training Officer) Program - 1 ublished with permission by Richmond Police Department
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department.
(c) Demonstrated ability as a positive role model
(d) Participate and pass an internal oral interview selection process (e) Evaluation by the supervisors and current FTOs
(f) Possess a POST Basic certificate
420.2.2 TRAINING
An officer selected as a Field Training Officer shall successfully complete a POST certified (40- hour) Field Training Officer's Course prior to being assigned as a FTO All FTOs must complete a 24 hour Field Training Officer update course every three years while assigned to the position of FTO (11 CCR 1004).
All FTOs must meet any training mandate regarding crisis intervention behavioral health training pursuant to Penal Code Section 13515.28.
420.2 DEFINITIONS
FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR - The Administrative Bureau Captain.
FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM MANAGER - A lieutenant or above selected by the Administrative Bureau Captain or a designee.
FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM COORDINATOR - A sergeant or above selected by the Administrative Bureau Captain or a designee. The Field Training Officer Program Coordinator will be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training Administrator's Course within one year of appointment to this position (11 CCR 1004(c)).
Duties include:
a. Regularly conferring with patrol supervisors, field training officers and police officer trainees to support the trainees' development and overall progress in the program.
b. Participating in the selection of field training officers.
C. Assuring that training documents, forms, and end of phase reports are prepared in a timely manner and distributed appropriately.
d. Making field training officers and officer trainee assignments.
FIELD TRAINING OFFICER - An experienced officer trained in the art of supervising, training and evaluating entry level and lateral police officers in the application of their previously acquired knowledge and skills, with successful completion of a forty (40) hour POST Field Training Officer course.
POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE - Any entry level or lateral police officer newly appointed to the Richmond Police Department who has successfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy.
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FIELD TRAINING OFFICER SELECTION COMMITTEE - This committee will be comprised of the Field Training Officer Program Administrator, Field Training Officer Program Manager, Field Training Officer Program Coordinator, Training Sergeant, active field training officer or Probationary Review Board member trained in the Field Training Officer Program methodology.
PROBATIONARY REVIEW BOARD - A body comprised of seven (7) members responsible for monitoring the progress of police officer trainees and probationary employees. Refer to Probationary Review Board policy for additional information. 420.3 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE_FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM
SUPERVISOR
The FTO Program supervisor should be selected from the rank of sergeant or above by the Patrol Division Commander or a designee and should possess, or be eligible to receive, a POST Supervisory Certificate.
The responsibilities of the FTO Program include the following:
(a) Assignment of trainees to FTOs
(b) Conduct FTO meetings
(c) Maintain and ensure FTO/trainee performance evaluations are completed (d) Maintain, update, and issue the Field Training Manual to each trainee (e) Monitor individual FTO performance
(f) Monitor overall FTO Program
(g) Maintain liaison with FTO coordinators of other agencies (h) Maintain liaison with academy staff on recruit performance during the academy Develop ongoing training for FTOs
The FTO Program supervisor will be required to successfully complete a POST approved Field Training Administrator's Course within one year of appointment to this position (11 CCR 1004(c)). 420.3.1FTO RECOGNITION
(a) In recognition of the extra work associated with the FTO assignment and all similar future assignments, each FTO shall have a letter placed in his or her personnel file stating the he or she is a FTO.
(b) Personnel certified as FTOs may wear a unit designator pin on their uniform shirt as a unit designator. The unit designator pin will be silver:
(c) Personnel who satisfactorily served as Problem-Based Learning Field Training Officers for five consecutive years may wear the unit designator pin on their Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/15, All Rights Reserved. ***DRAFT*** F.T.O (Field Training Officer) Program - 3 Published with permission by Richmond Police Department = -
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uniform, regardless of their current assignment.
(d) Personnel who are decertified as FTO, or are no longer with the program, shall not wear the unit designator pin on their uniferm.
420.3.2 FTO COMPENSATION
(a) While training a new Officer, the FTO shall receive four (6) hours of pay at the overtime rate for every 40 (forty) hour block of training. (b) Substitute FOs who are required to train Officers on a day by day basis due to the absence of the assigned FTO shall receive one (1) hour of pay at the overtime rate for each full day of completed training.
(c) Officers assigned to train Reserve Officers shall be compensated with four (4) hours pay at the overtime rate at the completion of each forty (40) hour block of training if certified by the Reserve Coordinator.
Responsibility for the Field Training Officer Program administration is assigned to the Administrative Bureau.
420.4 TRAINEE DEFINED FIELD TRAINING OFFICER PROGRAM COORDINATOR
RESPONSIBILITIES
Any entry level or lateral police officer newly appointed to the Richmond Police Department who has successfully completed a POST approved Basic Academy. a. Create police officer trainee orientation schedule.
b. Schedule field training officer and police officer trainee patrol team assignments.
C. Maintain and ensure Daily Observation Reports (DOR) and end of phase evaluations are completed.
d. Maintain, update, and issue the Field Training Manual to each trainee. e. Monitor individual field training officer performance. f. Monitor overall Field Training Officer Program.
g. Conduct field training officer meetings.
h. Maintain liaison with field training officer coordinators of other agencies. i. Develop ongoing training for field training officers.
L Attend Probationary Review Board hearings.
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420.5 REQUIRED TRAINING-FIELD TRAINING OFFICER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS a. Thirty (30) months of service as a Richmond Police Officer or twelve (12) months of service as a Richmond Police Officer and twenty-four (24) months as a police officer from another law enforcement agency.
b. The employee's three (3) most recent performanceemployee evaluations must document performance levels that meet or exceed standards in all performance categories. For employees with thirty (30) or more months of service as a Richmond Police Officer, this means the Department will review the employee's three most recent evaluations including from the new-hire probationary period it necessary to determine if the employee meets this standard. For employees with twelve (12) or more months of service as a Richmond Police Officer and twenty-four (24) or more months as a police officer from another law enforcement agency, this means the Department will review the employee's most recent annual City evaluation and the employee's evaluations from their final two years at their prior law enforcement agency to determine if the employee meets this standard.
C. No sustained use of force, racially abusive conduct, or sexual harassment complaints in the past three (3) years or the full duration of their employment at the City of Richmond if the employee has been employed at the City for less than three (3) years.:
A particular emphasis will be placed on:
a. Reliable attendance and punctuality
b. Work habits
c. Interpersonal skills and teaching ability
d. Demonstration of a high degree of integrity, initiative, and motivation e. Preliminary investigative skills
f. Report writing ability
Willingness to prioritize other departmental demands to facilitate training needs h. Comportment with grooming and appearance standards
Entry level officers shall be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training- Program, consisting of a minimum of 10 weeks (Penal Code Section 13515.295; 11 CGR 1004; 11- CCR 1005):
The training period for a lateral officer may be modified depending on the trainee's demonstrated performance and level of experience. A lateral officer may be exempt from the Field Training- Program requirement if the officer qualifies for an exemption as provided in 11 CCR 1005(a)(B).
To the extent practicable, entry level and lateral officers should be assigned to a variety of Field Training Officers, shifts, and geographical areas during their Field Training Program.
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420.6 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER SELECTION PROCESSEVALUATIONS Each calendar year the Department will evaluate candidates for the Field Training Officer Program who meet the minimum qualifications stated in Section 420.5. The evaluation process includes the following steps:
a. Interested candidates submit a Personnel Action Request form to their his or her primary chain of command
b. The Field Training Officer Selection Committee will review each applicant's Personnel Action Request form and three most recent employee evaluations and ensure minimum qualifications are met.
C. The Field Training Officer Selection Committee will interview all qualified candidates. and forward a list of eligible applicants, along with their recommendations, to the Chief of Police. This list will be valid for one year six months from the date of the Chief's approval.
Upon approval by the Chief of Police and completion of the POST Field Training Officer course, the candidate is qualified to perform the duties of field training officer for up to the next year. Selection to the Field Training Officer Program is at the Chief of Police's discretion and selection is not guaranteed from vear-to-year. Non- selection does not constitute decertification but rather reflects the anticipated needs of the Police Department in the upcoming year. The quantity of FTOs selected each calendar year is at the Chief's discretion subject to the City Manager's approval. - Evaluations are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as outined WIt below.
420.6.1 IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR BOT 31-26 73124
The immediate superviser shall review and approve the Daily Trainee Performance Evaluations and forward them to the Field Training Administrator:
420.6.2 FIELD TRAINING ADMINISTRATOR
The Field Training Administrator will review and approve the Daily Tranee Performance Evaluations- submitted by the FTO through his/her immediate superviser. 420.6.3 TRAINEE
At the completion of the Field Training Program, the trainee shall submit a confidential performance- evaluation of each of their FTOs and on the Field Training Program. 420.7_DOCUMENTATION-FIELD TRAINING OFFICER TRAINING
All documentation of the Field Training Program will be retained in the officer's training files and will- censist of the following:
(a) Daily Trainee Perfermance Evaluations
(b) End-of-Phase evaluations
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(c) A Certificate of Completion certifying that the trainee has successfully completed the required number of hours of field training.
a. An officer selected as a field training officer must successfully complete a POST-certified 40- hour Field Training Officer course before being assigned to the position. b. All field training officers must complete a 24-hour Field Training Officer Update course every three years while assigned to the position (11 CCR 1004). • All field training officers must meet any training mandate regarding crisis intervention behavioral health training pursuant to Penal Code § 13515.28.
420.7.1 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER RECOGNITION
a. In recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities associated with the field training officer assignment, a memorandum shall be placed in the employee's personnel file documenting their designation.
b. Active field training officers may wear a unit designator pin on their uniform shirt as a unit designator. The unit designator pin will be silver.
c. A decertified field training officer, or one with fewer than five years of continuous service as a field training officer who is no longer active in the role, shall not wear the unit designator pin on their uniform.
420.7.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER COMPENSATION
a. While training a police officer trainee, the field training officer shall receive six (6) hours of pay at the overtime rate for every 40 (forty) hour block of training:
b. Substitute field training officers who train on a day by day basis due to the absence of the assigned field training officer shall receive one (1) hour of pay at the overtime rate for each full day (10 hours) of completed training:
• Field training officers assigned to train reserve officers shall be compensated with six (6) hours pay at the overtime rate at the completion of each forty (40) hour block of training if certified by the Reserve Coordinator.
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420.8 FTO COORDINATOR REQUIRED TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICER TRAINEES a. Entry level police officer trainees shall be required to successfully complete a POST-approved Field Training Officer Program, consisting of a minimum of 10 weeks (Penal Code § 13515.295; 11 CCR 1004; 11 CCR 1005).
The training period for a lateral police officer trainee may be modified depending on his or her demonstrated performance and level of experience. A lateral officer may be exempt from the Field Training Officer Program requirement if the officer qualifies for an exemption as provided in 11 CCR 1005(a)(B). c. To the extent practicable, police officer trainees should be assigned to a variety of field training officers, shifts, and geographical areas during their Field Training Officer Program.
d. Field training officers shall author and review Daily Observation Reports and end of phase reports with police officer trainees.
e. If the field training officer determines that a police officer trainee is not ready for solo patrol, the assessment shall identify the specific areas requiring improvement.
The field training officer should also provide a recommendation to the Probationary Review Board regarding any remedial training needed for the trainee to successfully complete the program.
The police officer trainee's patrol sergeant or watch commander may supplement the field training officer's assessment with their observations and recommendations for remedial training.
g. The Probationary Review Board will convene and submit its recommendation to the Chief of Police regarding whether the police officer trainee should receive additional training, be released to solo patrol, or be terminated from the program. h. The Chief of Police will make the final decision regarding the police officer trainee's status.
The duties of the FTO coordinator shall include:
(a) Conferring regularly with Patrol Division Supervisors, FTOs and Trainees to assist them in meeting the training needs of individual Officers:
(b) Participating in the selection of FTOs
(c) Assuring that training documents, forms and publications are prepared in a timely manner and distributed appropriately.
(d) Making FTO and new Officer assignments.
420.9 DOCUMENTATION
All documentation of the Field Training Program will be retained in the officer's training files and will consist of the following:
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a. Daily Observation Reports
b. End of phase evaluations
420.9.1 POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE EVALUATIONS
Police officer trainees progress is documented in Daily Observation Reports and an end of phase evaluation. These are an important component of the training process and shall be completed as outlined below.
420.9.2 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER
The field training officer is responsible for authoring a Daily Observation Report and an end of phase evaluation, and reviewing it with the police officer trainee. The report will then be routed to the patrol supervisor for review.
420.9.3 IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR
The police officer trainee's patrol supervisor shall review and approve the Daily Observation Report and end of phase evaluation and forward it to the Field Training Officer Coordinator. 420.9.4 FIELD TRAINING OFFICER COORDINATOR
The Field Training Officer Program Coordinator will review and approve the Daily Observation Reports.
420.9.5 POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE
At the completion of the Field Training Officer Program, the trainee shall submit a confidential Field Training Officer Evaluation form for each of their field training officers and for the Field Training Officer Program.
1--420.9.6 FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM REPORTS
Each month, the Police Department will issue a report to the City Manager detailing the quantity of hours, if any, that each FTO participated in field training the prior month and the identify of the Police Officer Trainee(s) that each FTO training pursuant to the program when participating in the •program.
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420.10 DECERTIFICATION OF FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS
On the rare occasion that a field training officer fails to perform adequately in this role. decertification may be necessary under the following circumstances a. Sustained complaint of excessive use of force, racially abusive conduct, or sexual harassment.
b. Failure to meet the department standards in all performance categories on the field training officer's annual employee evaluation.
c. Refusal or continued failure to meet the expectations of the field training officer role.
d. As directed by the Chief of Police due to unacceptable performance or conduct, as evidenced by one or more administrative investigations. In such cases, the employee shall have the right to appeal the action in accordance with the same procedures and timelines as any other disciplinary action.
420.10.1 DECERTIFICATION PROCESS OF FIELD TRAINING OFFICERS Field training officers will be decertified and become ineligible to train new police officer trainees through the following process
a. Upon referral for decertification, the Field Training Officer Selection Committee will convene to review any of the aforementioned circumstances. b. The Field Training Officer Selection Committee will interview the field training officer. c. The Field Training Officer Selection Committee will forward a memorandum containing their recommendation to the Field Training Officer Program Administrator for routing to the Chief of Police for final approval.
d. Decertified field training officers must remove the field training officer pin from their uniform.
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