Final Phase of Training and Really Stressed

[CopDog]

Well, I am in my final two weeks of FTO training. The observation phase. I have gotten pretty good evals through the first three phases but I am really stressed.
I am still somewhat struggling on my orientation, NESW. And my confidence is somewhat lacking because of this. Although, my FTO's hopefully haven't noticed, my heart starts racing when I hear my unit number called over the radio for a call.
I know if I am alone, I can do this with no problem. I drive in the city during my time off and never have any problems. My FTO is very strict and it takes a toll on me and my confidence. If I screw up once, it seems like the rest of the night goes bad. And what a long night it can be. I get more nervous responding to the calls than the actual call themselves. I have handled violent and stressful situations with no problems. But getting there my heart just races.
The stress is killing me and I know it is only two weeks. But, what a long two weeks this will be.
Anyone else out there felt the same way during training?

[KenM]

Psychological stress is one of the functions of the FTO in all phases of training. If you weren't ready to be in your Ghost phase, I'm sure you wouldn't be. Relax and do your job.

On the bright side I'm sure they've invested enough money in you that they'll try everything before they ****-can you. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"Trust me. I'm from the government, I'm here to help."

[Underdog]

Some anxiety is common. Don't let it get you freaked out. At this stage of your training, fear of failure can become one of your worst problems.

There is a school of psychology (I can't remember the name at the moment) that holds that we attribute emotions to the physical symptoms that we are feeling. Thus, if my heart starts to race, I might decide that I am feeling fear, excitement, or anxiety. The psychologists in this school teach that you should attribute the most beneficial emotion to the physical symptoms that you are feeling. In your case, this would probably be the emotion of excitement.

I know that this sounds silly but I have used this technique to deal with my fear of public speaking. I simply persuade myself that my heart is racing and my blood pressure is elevated because I am excited about the opportunity to speak. This works well enough that I am able to deal with the situation.

[cajuncop]

Anyone else out there felt the same way during training?

I'm sure I am speaking for quite a few leo's when I say that we have all felt that in the past.

Remember this... those FTO's are there to make sure that you do your policing in a manner that is fitting to your department.

When I was in training, I went through similar situations. One of my FTO's, of which I had to ride with the first four and last four weeks of training with, was a fanatic about report writing.

For instance, he would have me write a report, then grade it for errors. Then he would show me what I messed up on and "red ink" it. He would explain to me how to fix it, then would trash it. Now of course, when he threw it away, of course my face would light up like a christmas tree. But calmly, without saying a word, I would rewrite the report and submit it back to him. It's safe to say that he didn't have to tell me twice how to fix a report.

Anyway, what I'm saying, is that their job is to pressure you, to see how far you're willing to bend. Don't worry about it. Just remind yourself that if will be over soon.

In the long run, when you are out of training, I'm sure you will be thankful for his teachings, and it will probably save your butt one day.

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"Without the support of our fellow officers, sometimes we have no support at all"


[This message has been edited by cajuncop (edited 02-06-2001).]

[poacher]

Hang in there. Remember your FTO's are there to make sure you are ready to go the streets alone. They won't put more on you than you can handle. They may press the limit which it sounds like they are doing but they won't break it.

The officers you ride with now have more invested in you than the Academy. They will be the ones looked at for the first year if you screw the pooch, not only by the brass but by their fellow officers and beat buddies as well as others from different sections of town.

You are a product of their knowledge and tribulations. When they tell you to watch this guy or that bar it's more than likely because they have had somthing go down there.

You will do just fine if you weren't capable they would'nt have passed you onto this stage. Remeber you made it this far you have everything you need to get out on your own and start learning those things that only you can teach yourself.

Best wishes Best luck Poacher.

[FLLawdog]

You think this is stress? Just wait until you get in a car, all by yourself for the first shift. It's like "Whew! Here I am....now what do I do?".

Stress is one of the biggest teachers out there. Most of what we do everyday comes from training, but there is still a percentage of reactions that are all instinct.

When I have a trainee, especially primary phase, I'll spend the first portion of the time looking for strengths and weanesses. I'll help him polish his strengths a little here and there, but I'll work long and hard on the weaknesses, putting him through as much as I can. Once he starts getting the hang of it, I'll add more pressure to see if he can recall in stressful situations.

One of the biggest tools I have is the ability to move to more active zones. If I see he hasn't had the volume of calls, on his final phase I'll move over and get him in an area where we go from call to call with little to no break. They may dislike it, but trust me, it will be something they'll never forget. I also like to make them put pressure on themselves. It gets them to reach beyond their capabilities and learn more.

Hang in there. Most things come with time, others come as instinct. You may not be able to instantly recall a direction or address or anything else, but without thinking it will sometimes just click.



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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[Plaso]

CopDog,
Stress is not always a bad thing. So go with the flow. I can relate, and it was already posted that we have all undergone the same thing you are going through. When I moved to the County from the City I was lost. The area is 10 times bigger and I didn't grow up here like in the city.

First I wear a small compass attached to my watch band. This always seems to help me get my direction. Second, when I came to the county the LT. told me they did not expect me to memorize all the streets, but just learn how to read the map and get to where I need to be.

Here is a little trick my pop taught me that may help to get your bearings. Remember that North-West Mounties are odd fellows. That means (in most places) the north and west side of the streets are odd numbered addresses. Then the opposite is true that south and east sides of the street are even. This may help you to get your NSEW bearings.

By the way remember that your heart racing means you are alive! Good luck and stay calm you will do fine. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Remember, there's a fine line between Macho and stupid. You cross the line, you get hurt.

[Blue_Chameleon]

CopDog, hang in there buddy. I wish I can be where you're at now. But because of family issues and financial situations, I went from fulltime to reserve.

Look back at your first week of FTO...and how much you didn't know. Now, look at where you're at. Look at the progression you've made and the accomplishments you've done. When I do that, it makes me feel better and puts a smile to my face. From there, I tackle everything else that comes before me in a more relaxed state. Good luck and stay safe, dude.

[galaxy]

A year from now, you will look back on this and smile. Hang in there.