Probation Officer Victimization Safety Analysis

Victimization of probation officers has been a trending topic for the last two decades. This concern about victimization has been consistent with the changes of attitudes by the officers towards their contemporary work. The safety issues among these officers have been reported in various journals and media. The majority of the officers say about perceived risks to their safety when they are performing their duties. These risks are experienced more in the field than in the offices.

From the research about a probation officer who was victimized when in their line of duty in the United States, we read about Thomas Eric Gahl. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a First Lieutenant. On September 22, 1986, he was shot dead by Michael Jackson, who was an offender under the supervision of Gahl (Lindner & Koehler, 1992). This happened as the parole officer was conducting a routine visit to Jackson's home. The offender who was mentally challenged chased the officer who was already wounded down the street. He finally caught up and shot him; he did not have a firearm, so he succumbed to death. The case was held by Louisiana court because it involved malpractice; the justice department also reported that Gahl was the first probation officer to be killed by his client.

According to the case described victimization, factors related to the lack of officers to be authorized to carry firearms (Lindner & Koehler, 1992). Like his colleagues, Gahl was not supposed to carry a gun. Probably if he had one, he could have saved his life. Another factor is the lack of training among these officers; if Gahl had been trained, he would have recognized the early warnings and had tactical knowledge to run away.

The arguments for arming the officers state that it is necessary to do so because of the increased crime rates in the probationers' areas. The ideas against the carrying of firearms by parole officers revolve around the controversy surrounding the use of arms by these officers (Klockars, 1972). Arming the officers has remained controversial and is complicated by ethical, legal, political, and practical considerations. Despite the trends adopted by the federal probation system, soon, policies regarding disparate firearms will likely be characteristic of state probation agencies. The weapons are seen as a reflection on the officers' safety, but there is a different opinion concerning these weapons' impact.

If I were a parole officer, I would utilize the Therapeutic Agent supervision style for the mentally ill. This particular technique is based on cognitive behavioral therapy; this style involves a treatment approach to the mentally ill person to help them recognize some behavior patterns that are not helpful in their lives. This can support such a person to explore their thoughts and emotions (Klockars, 1972). Therapeutic agents have their role in giving treatment, introducing the parolee to a good life, and motivating them to have constructive patterns of their behaviors. To those unable to solve their problems, they offer support and guidance. I would choose this style for a mentally ill person to demonstrate concern and help them perceive how their old behaviors have caused them problems. The other three types, like law enforcement, convey obeying laws and firmness are essential. This may not be practical to a person who is mentally ill.