Welcome to the  

Stanislaus County 

Sheriff's Department 

Operations  

Field Training Program!

We are pleased to bring you a brief overview of the program.  Over the last year, we  have made major changes to the training program in an effort to provide the most comprehensive training available to our new deputies.

Our program is certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.  Consistent with state regulations, deputy sheriff trainees who do not have a POST basic certificate and at least one year of patrol experience must participate in the full training program, currently 14 weeks in length.  Lateral candidates with a basic certificate who have over one year of patrol experience are eligible for a condensed training program, based on the abilities of the candidate.

The training program is divided into 4 phases.  

The first phase is a two week orientation program in a classroom setting.  Newly hired deputy sheriff's are taught a variety of subjects by subject matter experts including:

• Department policy and procedure
• Firearms qualifications
• Advanced criminal law
• Juvenile law
• Search and seizure
• Use of force techniques
• Community policing
• Coroner's investigations

At the end of the two week orientation program, new deputies participate in live scenarios using role players along with veteran deputies as facilitators.  The purpose of the scenarios is to assist the new deputy in the transition from a classroom environment to field work.

At the conclusion of the orientation program, deputies are assigned to individual training officers to complete the remainder of their training.  Phase two of the program exposes the deputy to basic field operations including:

• Officer safety tactics
• Patrol vehicle operation
• Radio communications
• Preliminary investigations

At the conclusion of the second phase of training (generally 4 weeks in length), the deputy is assigned to another training officer where they will be expected to assume a more prominent role as a deputy sheriff/coroner.  During this phase the deputy will learn:

• Patrol procedures
• Traffic enforcement
• Traffic accident investigation

The final phase of training (phase 4) places the responsibility of performing the duties of deputy sheriff/coroner on the new deputy.  The trainee will be expected to perform the basic functions of a patrol deputy while learning to conduct more complex investigations.  At the end of the final phase, the deputy is assigned to a field training officer whom they have not trained with before.  For a one-week period, the new deputy is evaluated by the training officer on their ability to carry out the duties of a solo deputy sheriff/coroner.  If successful, the deputy is released from the program and assigned to general patrol duties where they will complete their training during their probationary period.  Deputies on probation are monitored closely and evaluated every three months.

We hope this brief overview has answered some of your questions regarding the training program.  All of the tools are in place to make the training program a success for new deputies while continuing to meet our challenge of striving to be the best in America.