Police Magazine

William Harvey

Chief

William "Bill" Harvey is the Chief of the Ephrata (Pa.) Police Department. Prior to this he was the Chief of the Lebanon City (Pa.) Police Department for more than six years. Harvey retired from the Savannah (Ga.) Police Department where he worked assignments in training, patrol, and CID. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps and has a BA in criminology from St. Leo University and is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute of the University of Louisville (103rd AOC). Harvey has more than 25 years of experience working with recruits, rookies, and FTOs. He serves on the advisory boards of POLICE Magazine, POLICE RECRUIT Magazine, TREXPO, and the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA).

Inside the Badge •by William Harvey•May 9, 2007

Recruit Training: Prepare Your Recruits with an FTO Class

All through the academy, your recruits are told horror stories of their future training officers and the “FTO program.” Police work is like most vocations where there are rites of passage. People beginning this career wonder about the rites of passage and trials of fire that they will face as they join the profession.

Inside the Badge •by William Harvey•May 9, 2007

The Field Training Recruit’s Shopping List

Your department should tell you what it will issue to you. This prevents you from purchasing needless items and wasting your money. It should also tell you the items it recommends you have that it will not purchase for you. Finally, it should tell you what it prohibits you to have.

Inside the Badge •by William Harvey•May 9, 2007

The FTO’s Role in Your Training

When you look at another officer’s uniform and see an FTO pin, what thoughts come into your mind? Sure you know that FTO is an abbreviation for “field training officer.” But just what does that mean?

Inside the Badge •by William Harvey•May 9, 2007

Your First Inspection

It is your first day on the job. You are going to be scrutinized by everyone. Your superiors are going to inspect you. You know this, but do you actually know what the first inspection is really going to be like? This will be a critical inspection for you and one that will set the tone for the rest of your patrol life.

Articles•by William Harvey•January 1, 2005

Cover Yourself

You can do everything according to policy and still find yourself having to respond to a complaint or prepare a legal defense. It’s not fair; it’s not right; it just is. And when the legal snakes come after you, you’ll need proof that you are a highly trained and professional law enforcement officer.

Articles•by William Harvey•April 1, 2004

Police Magazine

William Harvey

Recruit Training: Prepare Your Recruits with an FTO Class

The Field Training Recruit’s Shopping List

The FTO’s Role in Your Training

Your First Inspection

Cover Yourself

Head of the Class

Sign Language

Give Something Back

Duct Tape Your Troubles Away

Sharing the Truth