Give your FTOs the tools to succeed

We have been training FTOs for over 25 years. Field Training Solutions uses the best practices in education and evaluation and we’ve also designed customized field-training programs for law enforcement agencies, university security agencies, and private security forces.

Kevin Kelleher, Trainer

Kevin Kelleher, M.Ed., began his police career providing police, fire and ambulance services on northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. He later joined the Bloomington, Minnesota, Police Department and served in a variety of capacities, including patrol, SWAT, detective, patrol sergeant, K-9 supervisor, Deputy Director of Emergency Management, and ran the Office of Training and Development. In 1996, he became the Chief of Police in Wayzata, Minnesota. After seven years, Kevin went on to manage a state-of-the-art multi-agency police and fire training facility in the Minneapolis area for several years.

Kevin is an alumnus of PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police and the Southern Police Institute’s 89th Administrative Officers Course. He holds a bachelor’s degree in police administration from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Kevin is an Assistant Adjunct Professor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, where he teaches public safety courses. He is also an instructor for Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety, in Evanston, Illinois, where teaches supervisory, command, and executive-level programs. He also serves as a course director for the School of Police Staff and Command. Kevin has taught throughout the United States, and lectured on American Policing at the Garda Síochána (Irish National Police) Academy.

Contact Kevin Kelleher: kevin@ftosolutions.com

Nicholas Gates, Trainer

Raised in North Dakota within a law enforcement family, Nicholas Gates developed an early understanding of public service and leadership. His father served as a County Sheriff, and his siblings also pursued careers in law enforcement, nursing, and military service, reinforcing a strong foundation of discipline, integrity, and commitment to community.

A college graduate and a veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Gates began his law enforcement career in a rural North Dakota county, where he quickly recognized a desire for a more dynamic and investigative role. He transitioned into an undercover narcotics position at the state level, gaining valuable experience in complex investigations before continuing his career with the Dickinson Police Department.

Over the course of 12 years in Dickinson, Gates served in a variety of critical roles, including patrol officer, narcotics investigator, detective, and ultimately sergeant, a position he held for five years. In leadership, he co-managed the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, oversaw traffic safety initiatives, and contributed to multiple city committees and advisory boards. His work reflected a consistent focus on officer development, operational effectiveness, and community safety.

In 2016, Gates attended Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. Upon completing the program, Gates was invited to join Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety as an instructor in its police management and organizational curriculum and taught throughout the country.

Gates subsequently joined the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, where he is assigned to the Milwaukee Field Office. In this role, Gates has contributed to a wide range of high-impact investigations, including Internet Crimes Against Children, violent crimes, narcotics enforcement, and overdose homicide investigations. His work continues to focus on protecting vulnerable populations, addressing complex criminal networks, and advancing public safety through collaborative, intelligence-driven policing.

Contact Nicholas Gates: nick@ftosolutions.com