NOPD recruits undergo a rigorous training curriculum—a mix of classroom, scenario-based and physical training for 26 weeks at the Training Academy. Once they graduate, they’re paired with a veteran officer known as an FTO, or Field Training Officer, who serves as a mentor through the recruit’s 16 weeks of field training.

FTOs serve as a liaison between classroom learning and street smarts. For recruits fresh out of the Training Academy, FTOs are a lifeline to years of experience and the knowledge that only comes with being on the job.

Officer Stephen McGee, an 11-year NOPD veteran, has served as an FTO for three years, and he’s learned that the number one requirement for a FTO is patience.

“Without a doubt you definitely need it,” he said. “A lot of them think they know everything you know, so you have to show them what they don’t know.” 

Currently assigned to the Seventh District, McGee credits his FTO with helping him succeed at the department nearly 12 years ago.

“I thought if I could be like him, I could help recruits have a better start in their career, said McGee. “I get enjoyment out of seeing my recruits go on to do good things. They’re like my little brother or sister.”

Alicia Pierre is a first-time FTO stationed in the Eighth District. She graduated from FTO training the same day her recruit, William Edwards, graduated from the Training Academy.

“This is my first recruit and he’s actually awesome,” said Pierre. “My job is teaching him what I know and helping him to excel in his career and become a good officer.

She doesn’t believe you need any special characteristics to be a good FTO and have an impact on a young officer’s career.

“When they’re selecting people to become a FTO, they’re looking for people who come to work every day, who do their job to the best of their ability, and have a good rapport with the community,” she said. “They want somebody who doesn’t have a negative attitude about the job, someone who’s confident about what they’re doing and who loves what they do. I love what I do and I want my recruit to be the same way.”

McGee said his biggest motivation to become a FTO was to improve morale.

“I hear officers complain about not having enough people in their district or that the new officers they do have aren’t well-trained when they come out of the program,” he said. “My answer to that is ‘Well train them how you think they should be trained’.”

“We all had to be taught,” Pierre said. “I would tell anyone thinking about being a FTO: ‘Don’t be afraid to give up your good knowledge – give those recruits a chance. They need to learn as well.’ They need to be taught by officers who want to give back and who want to help them learn.”

In addition to the satisfaction of helping new officers find their footing in their new profession, there’s a financial incentive. FTOs are paid an additional five percent salary, with plans for an additional increase in the works.