Corrections Community

For the 10th edition of my book, PROBATION AND PAROLE: THEORY AND PRACTICE (Prentice Hall), I am seeking info about any recent changes in probation/parole agency policy with respect to officers carrying firearms and making arrests. Howard Abadinsky, Ph.D. NYS Sr. Parole Officer (ret.) Professor of Criminal Justice St. John's University 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, NY 11439 abadinsh@stjohns.edu

The American Probation and Parole Association has some data available you may find useful on this page of our website:

http://www.appa-net.org/information/National_Firearms/index.htm

Last time I looked at the APPA website, it had not been updated about North Carolina's firearm change of 2006.  NC Probation/Parole Officers now carry a Smith & Wesson Military & Police .40 caliber.   Carrying a revolver is no longer an option and actually, returning all the old revolvers was a part of the contract for new purchase with S&W.  Carrying a secondary weapon is prohibited.  We have a choice of 3 holster styles:  duty belt style, traditional 2 inch trouser belt and a paddle holster.  There are two types of PPO's: Intermediate Officers and Community Officers.  Only Intermediate Officers carry a firearm due to their high risk caseload.  Community Officers carry what's considered "low risk" offenders and work the court system.  There are some instances in NC where Community Officers are firearms certified, like in smaller rural counties, to add extra manpower to the Electronic House Arrest Response Team.  Officers are encouraged to wear their firearm during duty hours, but not required.  Wearing the weapon is required, however, for field work and making any arrest.  NC PPO's have very broad authority by statute but the department (NC DOC) limits those powers to only supervised offenders.

Hope this helps!

Kelly, NC DOC, Div. of Community Corrections

Kelly--

Well, age of the weapons was a big factor but there were others.  Smith & Wesson stopped making the model 65 and replaced it with a "new and improved" Model 64.  DOC purchased them.  However, some of the 64's had a serious defect... a mechanism meant through design to be safety feature was actually making the weapons dangerous.  The new 64 had a trigger lock that required a key.  The 64's were locking up in the middle of fire during qualifications and situational exercises.  DOC was not willing to take the chance that an officer's service weapon locked up on them the one time they needed it most and therefore sought replacement.  There has been gentle pressure from field officers and other agencies to convert to semi-autos anyway.  This malfunction on the new revolvers, I think, was the turning point.  The new weapon is popular and has been received well (by everyone I know, anyway).  As a firearms aficionado, I do think the new M&P has a flaw.. it has no slide release lever.  But S&W designed it this way intentionally, so I guess it's not so much a flaw as a personal dislike.  :o)

Kelly

Dr. Abadinsky: I am using your 10th ed. for an on-line course I will teach next year for Chaminade University. Too bad you did not get any feedback from your firearms question from anyone in my agency, the Washington Department of Corrections. Your information on our firearms policy (pp. 258 and 261) is incorrect. Community Corrections Officers (CCOs) can choose to be armed. Those who do so must complete a 40-hour firearms course and pass a psychological exam. Most officers who work high-risk offender caseloads elect to be armed. In my building, 15 of 24 officers are armed, as are 2 of 3 unit supervisors (including me). Even our PSI writer and both intake officers are armed. What you referred to in your book is for personal protection plans for DOC staff (not just CCOs) who are threatened by offenders. In such circumstances, depending on the nature of the threat, DOC staff can be armed after a shorter firearms orientation. We carry 9mm and are transitioning from Heckler & Kochs to Smith & Wesson M&P models. Very respectfully, Kevin S. Rentner Community Corrections Supervisor Washington Department of Corrections

HarrisonKM...What type of permit is issued to those officers who do carry firearms? Are they TSA certified and can those officers carry off-duty based on their credentials? Also can an officer choose to qualify with another weapon besides the issued one. Can an officer leave their jurisdiction (state line) in pursuit of an offender/absconder with their agency issued firearm and remain compliant? Thank you...

In NYS, probation (city or county) officers and NYS parole officers are peace officers who can carry firearms if their agency provides the proper training and authorizes it. NYS parole officers are required to qualify with firearms as a condition of employment and they must carry their weapon (9mm Glock) on duty. They may carry the department weapon or other weapon with which they have qualified while off-duty. No credential beyond those issued by the agency is required. For probation and parole officers, the carrying of firearms and performing law enforcement duties outside their state is governed by the Interstate Compact. Under federal statute, law enforcement officers entitled to carry a firearm in their home state are allowed to carry a firearm in another state. They are not, however, authorized to perform law enforcement beyond their state jurisdiction. When they retire, NYS parole officers who reside in NYC are issued a letter that certifies their retirement in good standing. They can then apply for a "retired law enforcement officer" concealed carry permit from the NYPD. Similar provisions exist in other jurisdictions throughout the state. Howard Abadinsky, Ph.D. NYS Sr. Parole Officer (ret.) Professor, St. John's University