Probation and Guns
Probation
in the past was meant for those that were low risk and in need of less
supervision than those that are sent to jail or prison. Now with more violent and high-risk offenders
being placed on probation it changes the dynamics for probation officers. Probation officers have to do domicile
checks, and now, more than ever, they could be walking into a situation that could put them in
danger. So should probation officers now
be allowed to carry guns like police officers? If probation officers are
allowed to carry guns, then they would now have to go through firearms training
just like police officers. Also, would
it change the way probationers see the probation officers? Would probationers
look at the probation officers as those trying to put them back in jail,
instead of helping them to succeed on probation? Probation officers not only have a role in
keeping the probationer on track to follow the conditions of probation, but
also as a social worker of sorts. Safety is paramount, so is there a middle-ground?
American Parole and Probation Position Statement:
Bibliograhy:
Banks, C. (2013). Criminal Justice Ethics (3
ed.). Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA: SAGE Publications.
As a former intern at the Riverside Criminal Justice Agency in Prince George County, Va. I asked the same question, "are probation officers allowed to carry guns?" My supervisor at the time, answered "no". To be honest I think they should be allowed to carry guns simply for protection. Offenders convictions vary from non-violent to very violent and safety maybe a concern inside and out of the office setting. In contrast, according to the agency, the agency may disagree with the funds allowed for additional firearms training. Also, clients may feel threatened by the presence of a weapon during their appointment with their probation officer. While interning, I noticed the amount of clients that entered the office constantly stating that their probation officer was trying to put them back in jail. but in reality the purpose of probation is to deter further criminal behavior, punish the offender, help provide reparation to crime victims and their communities, and provide offenders with opportunities for rehabilitation. Safety is important in the workplace.
ReplyDeleteBased on the increase in the number of younger and more violent offenders, I really feel probation officers should be allowed to carry firearms and attend the proper training associated with carrying a firearm. With the increased emphasis on protecting the community through the control of the offender, probation officers are increasingly engaged in more police-type activities. I believe more can be done to provide treatment to the probationer and provide public safety to the community. I believe it would cause the offender to see the probation officer in a different light and may cause tension in the relationship. I also believe it would cause the probationer to change their behavior and follow the guidelines outlined in the conditions of their probation.
ReplyDeleteProbation and parole officers express concern for the potential of violent victimization while conducting fieldwork. With this concern, an argument can be made regarding probation officer safety and the call to arm officers. Four major concerns are:
ReplyDelete1. Increased number of serious offenders on probation.
2. Higher risk offenders are placed on probation
3. Increased concern for officer safety leading to probation officers carrying firearms with higher-risk offenders
4. Protecting the community in an increased emphasis
A potential positive outgrowth of arming probation officers is that they are thought of more like police officers, protecting public safety. Public support for treatment may increase when probation is trusted to put community and officer safety first. Efforts must be made to integrate law enforcement strategies into the traditional treatment approach.
A probation officer should be allowed to carry guns. I am very surprise that they do not. Maybe in the Commonwealth of Virginia they are not allowed, but in New York probation officers are allowed. Not all criminal are rehabilitated when they are released and when they have violated probation put in a situation where they may go back to jail, the probation officer could find themselves in a difficult situation. Probation officers need to be armed.
ReplyDeleteA probation officer is an officer of the law just like a parole officer or a police officer. Most states now allow for parole officer to carry a weapon as part of their job, so I believe that probation officers should be allowed that same. Their job is just as dangerous. Although a probation officer does often serve as the role of a social worker or therapist to the person on probation, that does not mean that they can't possibly be in danger while trying to perform their job. With proper training and for the right reasons I think that probation officers should be allowed to carry a weapon.
ReplyDeleteWe have people at work called compliance officers... they are similar to probation officers and they do not carry guns. These men and women actually meet with violent offenders who've been released from prison and conduct accountability checks on them to ensure they are not committing crimes or causing any issues in society. These "checks" include home visitations! I absolutely believe all those in-charge of enforcing laws have the right to carry a firearm for personal protection.
ReplyDeleteI know when I was in high school in Pennsylvania probation officers carried a gun and handcuffs so I think this a state by state issue. So I decided to do a search Google for "PA probation officer requirements". I have no idea why every state wouldn't allow every probation officer to complete firearms and engagement training. Probation officers are more engaged in the local criminal populous that say a patrol officer. Below is what I found in reference to State of Pennsylvania probation officers and duty firearm.
ReplyDeletePennsylvania
Firearm Education and Training Commission
In 1994, the County Probation and Parole Officers' Firearm Education and Training Commission (FETC) was established by Act 158 in order to provide uniform firearms training for county probation officers. The Commission is charged with educating and training county probation officers in the use of firearms. The FETC is funded through fees collected by individual Pennsylvania counties. The Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is responsible for providing support staff to the Commission."
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/fetc_home_page/7569
I don't see a problem with a probation officer carrying a firearm and I think the firearms training should be mandatory. If you are allowed to carry a weapon, you should know how to safely operate it and discharge it if needed. With regards to how this may change the view of them by the probationer, I think it would be time for a conversation to explain why you now own a firearm. I believe open communication should go both ways.
ReplyDeleteChristina: You have raised good questions in your blog on whether probation officers should be armed. I am interested in your responses to your questions. Professor Taylor
ReplyDelete