The Mt. Vernon Police Department field training program consists of 4 steps over a 12 week period of time. The recruits must successfully complete 39 different job related tasks. They included Patrol, Administrative, Traffic, and Investigative related tasks. Recruits are evaluated on a daily basis and training is summarized on a weekly basis to evaluate and document their progress through the program. The recruit must successfully complete each step to proceed onto the next step and ultimately to solo patrol.

The field training program is staffed by 9 field training officers, a coordinator and a commander. The field training officers are specifically trained and certified to train future police officers. Many field training officers are specialist in a variety of police related functions.