By C1 Staff
PLUMAS COUNTY, Calif. — The acting probation chief wants to arm Plumas County probation officers so that they can protect themselves in the field.
Arming the officers would be a first for the county, but probation officers armed with firearms is standard in 54 out of 58 of California’s counties, reports Plumas News.
Acting Probation Chief Clint Armitage said that the implementation of AB 109 has made the county’s population of probationers not only larger, but more dangerous.
“We are receiving criminals that have not been supervised by the counties before … It used to be a state function,” Armitage said. “They are coming out of prison, so they are more sophisticated than just local county people.”
Armitage spent most of his career as a firearms and tactics instructor. He has trained academy students, line officers, sheriff’s deputies, police officers and even SWAT and military personnel.
He previously worked for the San Diego County probation officer, which he described as a proactive department.
“As you know, there’s a lot of people there so there are going to be a lot more problems,” he said. “So, high-risk populations is where I have my expertise.”
Armitage said he would arm ‘select’ officers to allow them to perform ‘intensive supervision.’
“With realignment, there’s expectation from the state – it’s written into the bill – to provide intensive supervision. Intensive supervision includes monitoring these types of probationers in their environment … which is field work. It’s in their house. It’s with their families, their neighbors,” Armitage said.
“In doing that, it’s not prudent – and I wouldn’t feel comfortable – mandating my officers to do intensive supervision in these homes and these environments when they can’t protect themselves.”
Right now, probation officers rely on the sheriff’s department for support and protection. Sheriff Greg Hagwood supports Armitage’s plan to arm probation officers, saying it would allow his deputies more flexibility.
“Having armed probation officers in the field will hold people accountable in meaningful ways – especially in the world we live in now with criminal justice realignment,” Hagwood said.
District Attorney David Hollister said he doesn’t have an issue with “appropriate and responsible” arming of probation officers.
“My concern is just making sure we do it right,” he said.