Becoming a Field Training Officer (FTO) isn’t just a job — it’s a calling. In a recent article by Police1: A day in the life of an LAPD field training officer, dives into the critical lessons and training opportunities Officer Joe Cirrito, a 22-year Los Angeles Police Department veteran experiences.
Every shift is an opportunity to shape the next generation of police officers. What he does each day goes far beyond routine patrol - it’s about building confidence, resilience, and real-world problem-solving in the officers who will soon be out on their own.
Starting the Day with Purpose
The ritual matters.
Cirrito starts every day about 2½ hours before his shift. His first task? Shine his badge. This simple act helps him transition mentally from “home life” into his role as a teacher, leader, and decision-maker. It’s a reminder that every day on the job requires clarity, presence, and focus.
Then comes physical preparation — workouts, often in tough conditions — because policing is unpredictable and demanding. Cirrito embraces the challenge, believing that pushing through discomfort out of uniform prepares officers mentally for the challenges in it.
The Heart of the Watch: Teaching, Learning, and Adapting
Once roll call begins, Cirrito shifts into mentor mode. He shares positivity, sets expectations, and starts the watch with his trainees — referred to as “P1s,” or probationary officers.
Some key parts of the day:
Active Learning on the Street
Every call — from a mental-health crisis to a high-priority code response — becomes a training opportunity. The goal isn’t just to observe but to immerse the trainee in real decision-making, with the FTO guiding and debriefing along the way.
Constant Coaching
Cirrito quizzes his trainees on policy, tactics, and situational thinking. He adapts his approach for each personality — pulling knowledge out of those who are shy and helping confident rookies think more flexibly.
Communication Skills
One recurring theme? Helping new officers overcome the fear of the microphone or the pressure of a foot pursuit. Confidence builds not from perfection, but from doing the job and learning from it.
Skills That Matter Most
From Cirrito’s experience, the traits that make a successful FTO aren’t just technical — they’re human:
Adaptability: Policy, community expectations, and policing challenges constantly evolve; trainers must too.
Patience: Letting trainees think through problems builds competence.
Communication: Whether it’s radio calls or post-call debriefs, strong communication fosters growth.
Fitness & Stress Management: Physical preparedness supports mental toughness and teaches new officers to handle stress effectively.
The Reward: Seeing Growth in Others
For Cirrito, the most rewarding part of the job is watching the evolution of the officers he trains. Whether it’s their first foot pursuit, first arrest, or the confidence they carry months later, these are the moments that define success — both for the trainee and for the trainer.
He keeps in touch with many former trainees who have gone on to become detectives and supervisors. Seeing how far they’ve come, and knowing he played a role in their development, is what keeps him passionate about the work.
Key Takeaways for T4E Readers
If you’re involved in training, leadership, or professional development — whether in law enforcement or another high-stakes field — here’s what Cirrito’s day teaches us:
- Start with intention: Establish routines that prepare both mind and body.
- Teach through experience: Real learning happens when trainees are doing, not just listening.
- Adapt your style: Every learner is different; flexibility leads to better outcomes.
- Celebrate growth: Progress isn’t always linear — but it’s powerful when it’s clear.
Cirrito’s daily routine offers invaluable lessons — inside and outside the patrol car. T4E offers Law Enforcement veteran knowledge through our team of experts that supports these critical elements to elevate scenario-based training experiences and muscle memory that’s required for high-impact and intense situations.
Contact Mike McCalsin today to talk more on how we can help: Training@T4Eguns.com