First field training officer may set use-of-force habits, study suggests

A field training officer is a special kind of cop. They have to be both patrol officer and mentor, as they teach recruits who are fresh out of the police academy how to put their lessons into practice. Much like mentors in other fields, these training officers (FTOs) hold a tremendous amount of responsibility. But that responsibility takes on more meaning given the nature of the job, and new research reinforces just how influential these guides are.