Eight Officers Complete Fort Collins Police Field Training Program

Fort Collins Police Services graduated eight officers from its 16-week Field Training Program on October 23, marking the completion of a comprehensive 38-week training process that began with a 22-week police academy.

The newly certified officers were evaluated on professionalism, driving skills, report writing, evidence logging and scenario-based testing during the field training phase. Field training officers mentored the new officers while familiarizing them with Fort Collins neighborhoods, community partners and departmental procedures.

The Field Training Program represents the final phase before officers begin independent patrol duties. All eight graduates now join Fort Collins Police Services' authorized strength of approximately 220 to 230 sworn officers.

Two-Phase Training Exceeds State Minimums

Fort Collins requires substantially more training than Colorado's minimum standards for new police officers.

The Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board mandates a minimum of 556 hours of basic academy instruction. Fort Collins' 22-week academy delivers approximately 880 hours of training, according to department recruitment materials.

The subsequent 16-week field training program adds at least 512 hours of supervised patrol experience across four distinct phases. Officers work different shifts with multiple field training officers to maximize skill development and exposure to varied situations.

State law does not require specific field training durations, leaving individual agencies to establish their own standards. Fort Collins' 16-week program places it among the most comprehensive in Northern Colorado.

Structured Evaluation System Guides Progress

Field training officers evaluate new officers daily using 27 Standard Evaluation Guidelines rated on a seven-point scale. The evaluation system measures competency in departmental policies, patrol procedures, legal knowledge, community engagement and ethical decision-making.

Officers who fail to demonstrate required proficiencies can be terminated from the program. The structured approach ensures consistent evaluation standards across all field training officers and trainee cohorts.

The four-phase program rotates trainees through different shifts and supervisors to provide comprehensive experience with various call types, community interactions and operational scenarios. Each phase builds on previous training with increasing independence and complexity.

Regional Training Standards Vary

Fort Collins Police Services maintains training requirements that exceed many neighboring agencies in Larimer and Weld counties.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office sends full-time deputies through state-certified academies meeting POST minimums, then conducts field training programs typically lasting 12 to 14 weeks. The sheriff's office offers a shorter 13-week reserve academy for part-time deputies.

Municipal agencies in Loveland, Greeley and Windsor generally provide field training lasting eight to 16 weeks following completion of state-required academy programs. Larger departments trend toward longer field training comparable to Fort Collins' model.

All Colorado peace officers must complete POST-certified basic academy training and maintain at least 24 hours of annual in-service training, with 12 hours focused on firearms, driving and arrest control skills.

Graduation Reflects Steady Recruitment Pace

The eight-officer graduation aligns with Fort Collins Police Services' recent hiring patterns. The department typically trains eight to 12 officers per academy session, conducting multiple sessions annually based on budget allocations and staffing needs.

Fort Collins competes with other Northern Colorado agencies for qualified candidates in a challenging recruitment environment. Entry-level pay starts at $85,789 annually for academy recruits, according to department materials.

Regional law enforcement agencies collectively train approximately 40 to 50 new officers annually across Larimer and Weld counties. Recruitment challenges include increased training requirements, heightened public scrutiny, salary competition and a smaller pool of eligible applicants meeting background and education standards.

The October graduation maintains Fort Collins Police Services' authorized staffing levels amid ongoing turnover from retirements and resignations affecting agencies statewide.