Probation Officer Safety and Defensive Weapons: A Closer Look

• NCJ Number: 175078
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Dated: June 1997 Pages: 45-50
• Author(s): E J DelGrosso
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Issues that probation officers experience with respect to safety and the use of defensive weapons are examined, with emphasis on the findings of a survey of State probation personnel in Colorado and a national survey of Federal probation and pretrial services officers focused on safety issues that probation officers experience on the job.

Abstract

Whether or not probation officers should be armed is a source of strong debate. Probation officers must perform peace officer functions, but concerns and mistaken impressions exist regarding safety and liability issues. Several surveys have highlighted safety issues and concerns. A 1993 survey conducted by the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association revealed that 1,818 serious assaults, 792 attempted assaults, 14 murders, 2 attempted murders, 2 rapes, and 5 attempted rapes had occurred against staff in the 459 responding agencies during 1980-93. A 1994 survey of Colorado probation officers conducted by the Office of Probation Services in Denver revealed that nearly 10 percent had been physically assaulted at least once in their careers, that 58 percent believed that their work had become more dangerous in the last 5 years, and 78 percent were concerned or very concerned for their safety on the job. Participants expressed strong support for the provision of chemical agents or impact weapons; they were almost evenly divided in their opinions regarding the provision of guns. A national survey conducted by the American Probation and Parole Association revealed that staff safety was regarded the most important issue in community corrections. Other statistics reveal that at least half of all probation officers will be physically assaulted at least once in their career. These findings indicate that increased training efforts should continue, but it should include both the provision and proper training for different types of defensive weapons. 25 references