Douglas training the trainers

Officers from seven law enforcement agencies completed a week of field training to enable them to work with new recruits in their departments.

The class at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was comprised of law enforcement officers from the Douglas County, Carson City, Eureka County, Lander County, Mineral County and Nye County sheriff's offices and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.

Two officers also attended from the Douglas County Emergency Operations Center to train new dispatchers.

"Having good, qualified field training officers is vital for our department," said Sheriff Ron Pierini. "I am very proud of those who have recently graduated from the class. They have the ability to make a difference for our new recruits and at the same time provide the best law enforcement services possible to our community."

To become a training officer, a deputy must demonstrate superior performance and have outstanding training qualities, Pierini said.

The candidate must successfully complete a 40-hour class.

Subjects included ethics, field training officer program structure, duties and responsibilities of a field training officer, standardized guidelines, report writing, legal issues, evaluations, problem solving, termination/supervisory principles, adult learning, communication and effective teaching methods.

To train field officers, a deputy must be at the rank of sergeant or higher.

New deputies complete 10-week jail training, 600 hours of basic Peace Officers' Standards and Training academy certification.

"The public often does not know how much training is required for our deputy sheriff after they are hired," Pierini said.

After being transferred from the jail division to patrol, the recruit is assigned a field training officer for 14 weeks who grades performance daily.