PAP.18.4.050 Trainee Removal from the Program:

(a) A Trainee may be removed from the Program is he/she fails to successfully complete the program by attaining repeated unsatisfactory ratings, failure to respond to training, or violating the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department Departmental Policy and Procedure. The purpose of the Field Training Program is to train new employees so that they may successfully function as a Patrol Officer on their own. Unfortunately, this level of competency is not always attained. It may be that the Trainee realized their own expectations of working Patrol were not met, as they progressed through the Field Training Program and that the goals they had set for themselves were unattainable. Some Trainees may have been able to perform many, but not all of the tasks associated with patrol duties. Still others may have been able to perform competently in the required tasks, but their attitude or behavior did not match with the standards set by the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department. Regardless of the cause(s), the fact that in some instances, the Trainee does not meet the requirements set by the Program.

(b) A Trainee's removal from the Program may not only be obligatory, but also necessary. In the event that the Trainee is not progressing in the Program and that it has been determined that attaining a satisfactory level of competence is not possible, removal from the program may be the next logical step. There are times when the Field Training Officer may go to great lengths to assist the Trainee in completing the Program. Although this is laudable, it is not always the greater interest of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department. The Administration must be realistic to those employees that do not meet the exceptions of the Program. Retention of such employees not only presents a cause for liability but also for public image, money and safety factors.

(c) The decision to remove a Trainee from the Field Training Program shall be based on the performance of the Trainee, the evaluations of the Field Training Officer and the Training Supervisor, as well as a meeting with the Trainee himself/herself. In the event that a recommendation for removal is approved, the Trainee will be notified and directed to turn in all Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department issued equipment that has been assigned to the Trainee for the purposes of the Field Training Program. Any decision as well as the reasons for which such a decision may be based, shall be in writing and a copy placed in the Trainee's personnel file. If the Trainee's removal from the Program is based on a violation of Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Police Department Policy, other consequences may be affected, including disciplinary action or termination of employment altogether.

(d) A Trainee that has been removed from the Field Training Program may again apply to complete the training pending the approval of the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Any such employee granted into the Field Training Program after removal will be required to complete the entire Training Program of all three Phases, regardless of which Phase the Trainee had previously completed successfully. A Trainee who wishes to reapply must wait one (1) year after their removal date. That year will give the Trainee an opportunity to improve in areas they were not initially successful.