Training

Training Division

The Training Division is the foundation of professional excellence at the Farmington Police Department. By maintaining high standards for both new recruits and veteran staff, we ensure that our personnel are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding required for modern policing.

Our training philosophy is built on a "local-first" model, ensuring our officers are trained to meet the specific needs and values of the Farmington community while exceeding state-mandated standards.

Basic Training: The Regional Academy

Farmington Police Department is a primary leader in the San Juan County Criminal Justice Training Authority (SJCCJTA). As a satellite of the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, this multi-agency facility allows our recruits to complete their basic training locally rather than traveling out of the area. This local model provides a more tailored and relevant training experience for our officers.

FPD provides significant leadership and resources to the Academy:

• Director of the Academy: An FPD Sergeant serves as the Director, overseeing the daily operations and curriculum of the basic training program.
• Co-Lead Instructor: An FPD officer serves as a co-lead instructor, providing direct mentorship and tactical guidance to all recruits.
• Adjunct Expertise: Our department provides numerous adjunct instructors who teach specialized law enforcement subjects, from criminal law and de-escalation to firearms proficiency.
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Advanced Training Unit

The Advanced Training Unit, supervised by a Sergeant, is responsible for the ongoing education and professional development of all department personnel. This unit manages the complex task of "in-service" training, ensuring that every member of the department—both sworn and civilian—stays current on best practices and legal requirements.

Key areas of focus include:

• Tactical & Technical Skills: Coordinating Firearms Training, Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVOC), and Reality-Based Training (RBT) scenarios.
• Crisis Response: Managing specialized certifications like Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to help officers better serve individuals in mental health crises.
• Civilian Development: Coordinating required training for our non-sworn staff to ensure the entire department operates under a unified standard of professionalism.
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Field Training Officer (FTO) Program

Upon graduation from the Academy, new officers enter the Field Training Program. Managed by the Advanced Training Unit, this program is the bridge between the classroom and the street.

Under the close supervision of Field Training Officers (FTOs) and patrol supervisors, new officers are mentored in real-world environments. This rigorous phase of training ensures that every officer who patrols our streets has been vetted for competency, safety, and community-focused service.