This article examines how the values communicated by Field Training Officers (FTOs) influence the behaviors of police recruits
to conform to the norms of the police culture. Analysis and interpretation of the written responses of police recruits to
a program evaluation form in a police department located in the western United States were used to identify the explicit and
implicit values that were communicated during the Field Training Program (FTP). The findings of this study indicated that
although positive explicit values were communicated during the FTP, several potentially negative implicit values were also
communicated to police recruits. Consequently, the perceived status of the FTO is an important factor in police recruits learning
job-related values. Recommendations are made for developing effective leadership strategies for bringing greater levels of
congruency between the explicit and implicit values of law enforcement organizations that are communicated to police recruits
during the training process and organizational socialization.
Author Note: Wade Engelson is a lieutenant with the Fresno Police Department. He has been with the department for 12 years and is currently
assigned as the Commander of the Special Investigations Bureau. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Economics and a Master’s
degree in Public Administration from California State University, Fresno. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from
the University of California, Davis/California State University, Fresno Joint Doctoral Program. He has taught in a variety
of settings and has published articles in the fields of sexual harassment, organizational socialization, tactics, and training
issues. His research interests include leadership issues, organizational socialization, and the hidden curriculum of organizations.