Probation Officers Carrying Firearms

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Probation and Parole Officers the Carrying of Firearms Community Resources In Corrections - Fall, 2011 Date submitted Probation and Parole Officers have a common goal to protect the public. They play a vital role in the criminal justice process. The criminal offenders and the areas in which they work may be dangerous. The question of whether parole and probation officers should carry firearms has fueled controversy. Some who favor treatment-based model of supervision have objected to officers carrying a firearm, while others have embraced it. Some agencies throughout the United States have made carrying a weapon an option, some others have gone the mandatory route, while others still do not allow their officers to carry at all. Probation and parole officers experience violent incidents including verbal threats, attacks by offenders' dogs, bomb threats, physical assaults, and resisting arrest. Some argue that probation and parole agencies should authorize their officers to carry firearms in response to these challenges. Parole officers are supervising a violent offender population and are being asked to participate in more aggressive activities. Probation, like most important parts of the CJ system has tons of different positions from administration to actual Officers that get to work one on one with the offenders. The issue of probation/parole officers and firearms relates to whether the officer's role is counseling or law enforcement. Although some researchers argue that probation/parole officers cannot perform both roles, little research has focused on the views of the professionals. Many officers want the right to carry firearms. There are a few important reasons why they feel they should be allowed to carry. Officers are asked to perform high-risk tasks in order to monitor their caseloads. Parole and
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