Newbie Status: A Guide for Probation Officers to Navigate their First Five Years and Beyond

There are many different probation agencies throughout the nation. Some are sworn law enforcement officers and some are not. Some are a combination of probation and parole. Some are extensions of the prison systems. Nearly all receive some sort of initial training, a variation of an academy like the police go through. But they are shorter and not normally a stress based program. In that training, probation officers receive training in the basic topics that they will deal with in day to day work. It is the basics that they need for performing their duties. It will cover topics such as their specific states criminal justice system, juvenile detention, information gathering for written records, interviewing, restitution, fines, court reports, court presentations, casework relationships, providing counseling, monitoring probationers and officer safety. You will also get training on the day to day expectations for your new position through your supervisor. Some places may additionally have a program similar to the Field Training Officer (FTO) program in which the new officer is assigned to a specific agency training for their probationary period. What you’re not taught is the things that you will have to deal with to last your first five years in the job and beyond. This book is intended to guide you with just that type of information so you can be safe, successful and healthy.