Any (juvenile) Probation Officers on here? Anyone start their LEO career in probation

[Adeodatus]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if there were any LEOs here that started their careers as probation officers. Just looking to hear your opinions and get some advice.

I've been working to get into law enforcement for a long time now and haven't had much luck. I made it to the hiring board/executive interview twice at two bay area departments and was a "non-select" for the academy both times. (nothing is wrong with me, im clean). Anyways, I am tired of wasting my time and need to move forward as fast as I can.

I currently work as a security control center operator and I have heard over and over from officers and friends in the LEO community that I need to get the heck out of the field of work. So that's what I am trying to do. Plus, trying to launch/get out of the house.

Getting a job in law enforcement is taking forever so I have decided to continue school (enrolled to SJSU) to pursue a BS in justice studies with a minor in forensic science. I am also trying to change jobs asap.

I found out I qualify to work as a probation officer at a lot of entry level positions just outside of the bay area in surrounding counties. I currently have 7 probation officer (some juvenile) applications out and 1 police evidence tech application out. Along with those, I am starting the background phase with the CDCR.


-What are your opinions on the job of probation officer?
-Do you feel this would be a good move to make?
-General thoughts/concerns?

[CaptMike]

Worked Probation now 17 years. I love the work and the challenges. You have to have lots of patience and truly want to make a difference in peoples lives. Working with troubled juveniles can feel like a thankless job so your heart has to be in the right place. It is a great career or can be a stepping stone.

I know lots of guys that started with us, passed their probation and were then hired on by different departments. Sometimes, other departments wont take the risk on you, so starting with Probation is a good way to get your foot in the door. My LA Co Probation still has about 800 openings so there are lots of jobs out there. Good luck.

[Watchur6]

I've worked juvenile probation for about 8 years now. You can use it as a stepping stone, I know a lot of people who have. Your heart has to definitely be into it, the job is what you make of it. There's so much I can tell you about it but it would take too long. Honestly, you won't know if the job is really for you until you start working on the line. PM me if you have any questions.

[Adeodatus]

Worked Probation now 17 years. I love the work and the challenges. You have to have lots of patience and truly want to make a difference in peoples lives. Working with troubled juveniles can feel like a thankless job so your heart has to be in the right place. It is a great career or can be a stepping stone.

I know lots of guys that started with us, passed their probation and were then hired on by different departments. Sometimes, other departments wont take the risk on you, so starting with Probation is a good way to get your foot in the door. My LA Co Probation still has about 800 openings so there are lots of jobs out there. Good luck.

Thanks for the info! Just sent in an application.

[deadcoyote]

I've done it all and would recommend you go to CDC then transfer to parole. It's you best and safest option. A lot of road jobs hate probation, and to be fair probation thinks they're too cool for school and better them everyone even though they're just checking boxes and cheering at how good they are at "evidenced based practices".

[Marty33]

I dont consider probation law enforcement. Join the military.

[BBR]

Probation is the red-headed stepchild of Law Enforcement. You are underfunded, understaffed, under appreciated, and over worked...But it is a great place to make your bones. If you can get a probation gig while getting your POST you will go far, and what you learn in the probation field will do you well regardless of what you do and where you go in the future. The halls are fun if you have a good crew, just remember, for those 8-12 hours a day, you are just as locked up as the juveniles are. That really messes with some people.

BBR

[D1911]

I've done it all and would recommend you go to CDC then transfer to parole. It's you best and safest option. A lot of road jobs hate probation, and to be fair probation thinks they're too cool for school and better them everyone even though they're just checking boxes and cheering at how good they are at "evidenced based practices".

Hmm. I've been a PO for about 16 years now, never thought I was "too cool for school" or "better them(?) everyone". Unless you're a PO or have done the job, you'd know it's much more than "checking boxes and cheering at how good" we are at EBP. Do some counties take the EBP thing to the limit, you bet. It still doesn't take away from the enforcement/supervision side of the job as offenders still go to jail and prison when they can't make it on supervision. Not sure what a "road job" is, never heard the term. So, how long were you a PO?

[deadcoyote]

Hmm. I've been a PO for about 16 years now, never thought I was "too cool for school" or "better them(?) everyone". Unless you're a PO or have done the job, you'd know it's much more than "checking boxes and cheering at how good" we are at EBP. Do some counties take the EBP thing to the limit, you bet. It still doesn't take away from the enforcement/supervision side of the job as offenders still go to jail and prison when they can't make it on supervision. Not sure what a "road job" is, never heard the term. So, how long were you a PO?

I guess I could try to articulate that in a more polite manner. I think Probation is great and there's a lot of opportunity in that field to accomplish some great things. I also think there exists, more so in probation than some other LE fields, the easy out to not do your job or collect an easy check. I have personally seen some PO's get angry that other LE agencies don't show them the respect that they deserve, while they help engender the attitude that exists by not calling out other guys who don't/won't do their jobs properly.

[omgwtfbbq]

I'm relatively new to the probation gig compared to CaptMike, deadcoyote, or D1911.

I enjoy it quite a bit. I work in juveniles supervising wards in our Camp program and the "aftercare" supervision attached to that. Most of my guys are near 18 or over 18, usually violent and/or gang bangers. It's rewarding to try to assist a kid in taking advantage of their tool and turn things around.

It's equally rewarding to yank said kid out of bed before the sun rises and haul him off to county because he's graduated to "big boy" world.

IMO, probation offers the best of two worlds; you get to try to address crime at it's roots by working with people to help them get out and stay out of the justice system. You are also usually the most informed LE agency when it comes to these guys/gals, so when they don't want to turn things around you are a great source of intel and actionability to get them off the streets.

I guess I could try to articulate that in a more polite manner. I think Probation is great and there's a lot of opportunity in that field to accomplish some great things. I also think there exists, more so in probation than some other LE fields, the easy out to not do your job or collect an easy check. I have personally seen some PO's get angry that other LE agencies don't show them the respect that they deserve, while they help engender the attitude that exists by not calling out other guys who don't/won't do their jobs properly.

Unfortunately, this is all too true. There are plenty of people who get into the probation game because they either want to be a social worker who looks cool with a badge or because they want to be a cop but can't hack a POST academy.

The former usually end up at the your free riders, happy to cash checks while sitting at a desk. The later are the ones that put the agency at extended liability. IMHO, the "right way" is somewhere in between.

[drunklaw]

Former Juvenile Probation Staffer

I spent five years with Orange County Probation Department working within Juvenile Hall and the camps. It was a great way to learn how to read young criminals behaviors. After five years, the Liberal mentality got a little old. Left there and moved into State Law Enforcement. I went to ABC and have worked my way up the ranks to current rank of Deputy Division Chief. I have been part of the hiring process for countless young agents and would rather see someone who worked in probation over those who work at Fry's or local fast food restaurant.

You will learn a great deal about human behavior and how to read situations from working with these young criminals. You will respond to fights and other problems and these skills will make a great building block in your law enforcement career.

Good luck with your new profession and remember to keep safe and learn to trust your gut instincts. Those hairs on the back of your neck mean something is not right and time to start looking around.