NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE OFFICERS

Acceptance Into Program

Classroom and Field Training

Evaluations and Re-training

The application process for new Neighborhood Assistance Officers will include a background check of criminal record, an inquiry with the applicant’s references, and an interview with N.A.O. Staff to determine the applicant’s purpose of involvement and level of commitment.  An applicant may be disqualified for any reason which is deemed by the N.A.O. staff to make him/her unsuitable for the program.  Acceptance into the program will be upon agreement of the N.A.O. staff with rank of Sgt. or above.  A probationary period will begin with the first segment of the classroom phase of training, and will be for six months, or a total of 120 hours in the company of a trained N.A.O., and the satisfactory completion of Field Training. 

The classroom phase will be scheduled in segments, and new N.A.O.s are required to complete a minimum of 6 hrs. of classroom training, which may be given in segments.    They will receive, read, and follow the Policy and Procedure manual.  

Field Training is required after satisfactory completion of the classroom phase.  The purpose is to assure the trainee has the abilities and confidence to perform the duties of the N.A.O., and to show competency in specific areas. Ranking N.A.O.s will be Field Training Officers (F.T.O.s), and each will be assigned to probationary officers for a minimum of 8 hrs. of training in the field with each trainee.  The following areas of competency will be checked:  1. Defensive driving ability, maneuvering in traffic and parking.  2.  Radio etiquette, use of proper procedures and codes.  3.  Directing traffic, ability to control drivers with signals, flashlights, use of flares, etc. 4.  Knowledge and ability to perform tasks of routine patrol, assistance at crash scenes, special assignments, or emergency situations.  5.  Following policy and procedures and the Chain of Command, safe and professional conduct. 

Field Training will be conducted with the goal of the trainee being released to work on his/her own.  The agenda for F.T.O.s will follow a gradual trend of increasing responsibility for the trainee, initially with the trainee observing the F.T.O. and not participating in action, and eventually the trainee acting alone with the F.T.O. as an observer, once the five areas of competency are established. The F.T.O.s who train each individual will make a consensus on that individual’s progress and determine if he/she has satisfactorily completed Field Training. 

Evaluations will be completed by the F.T.O. for each trainee.  Since this hasn’t been done in the past, effective immediately, all N.A.O. s will be evaluated on a 6-month basis, with a purpose of improving their abilities.  The form for evaluations will be based on Charleston P.D.’s evaluation system (also due in January and July), will be included with this policy and procedure change, and will encourage N.A.O.s input and self-evaluation.  Current N.A.O.s who had not been available for earlier field training, or who are notified by the N.A.O. Captain that they show lack of competence in any of the five proficiencies above, will be required to complete re-training with an F.T.O., to be assigned by the ranking N.A.O. staff.