A new solo patrol officer on the job

"I just want to go the extra mile"

Completing the 16-week Training Academy can make a graduate feel like they know something about being a police officer. But the next step - field training - can quickly shatter that illusion.

"It's very eye-opening. It's not easy," said Gresham Police Officer Trevor Polverini, as he drove and walked through Gresham's Rockwood neighborhood responding to a welfare check, an incomplete 911 call and a speeding car, among other incidents. "You feel a little comfortable after the academy, but then you go through the first phase (of field training) and you're like, I don't know anything."

That's why Polverini - among the hires made after the passing of the Fire and Police Levy - is grateful for the rigorous, year-long field training he received from his coach before going solo six months ago. This one-on-one coaching ensures that new officers have the solid foundation of skills that taxpayers expect from their police force.

"I'm way more confident"

During the field training phase, a seasoned officer rides with the probationary officer to show them what daily police work is all about, handing them progressively more independence as their skills develop: navigation, driving, talking to people, making decisions under pressure, critical thinking, report writing.

This phase also involves additional post-academy training in firearms and defensive tactics, and getting pepper sprayed and tased, so you know exactly what that feels like.

"The more you do it, the more experience you get at different calls, the better you'll be later on," Polverini said. "I'm way more confident in a lot of stuff that I struggled with in the early phases."

And he loves serving the community

"I just want to go the extra mile and make sure they know that police aren't just out there to get people. Like, obviously, it's our job to enforce laws and arrest criminals when it's applicable. But a lot of times it's just helping people."

Video: Ride along with Officer Polverini on patrol.