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TRAINING

The importance of comprehensive and current training for community corrections practitioners cannot be overemphasized. The Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) educates and trains probation officers and other community corrections professionals in line with the best interests of public safety and the reduction of crime. The DPCA provides virtual and live training to all levels of community corrections practitioners within our funding umbrella. DPCA works with members of a Statewide Training Committee, made up of probation professionals from across New York State, in the development, design and delivery of training curricula and the promotion of evidence based practices. DPCA also provides ongoing leadership and standards for required training of probation practitioners provided in regional locations. Additionally, and through specialized grant funding, DPCA is delivering juvenile justice key issues training and promoting evidence based practice models across the state.

Probation Officer Qualifications and Training
Qualifications for Probation Officers - The qualifications and training requirements for probation positions are regulated by the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. Probation Officer exams are given periodically. For testing and employment opportunities contact the appropriate county department of civil service. Probation Officer positions are open-competitive civil-service positions in New York State. Each candidate must meet the minimum requirements of a graduate degree in many of the social sciences, or a bachelor's degree plus two years experience in counseling or casework. Promotional opportunities are regulated by Civil Service and DPCA Rule as well.

Probation Training in New York State
The qualifications and training requirements for probation positions are regulated by the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA). In collaboration with counties, DPCA provides a variety of professional development opportunities for new and experienced probation officers.

Within the first six months of employment, probation officers are required to complete a two week classroom program: the Fundamentals of Probation Practice (FPP). As part of this training, officers begin their professional experience with on-site computer-based training provided by DPCA. This "Virtual Academy" is a framework for systematically improving the timeliness and consistency of the most basic homework modules of fundamentals training for new officers. In addition, the DPCA has embarked on the world of distance learning and is working to produce taped and live videoconference training and instruction. This will assist local directors in fulfilling the required 21 hours of annual training for all probation officers.

Also, in New York State, all probation officers are peace officers. Peace officer training requires a complete week of basic peace officer training as well as a second week of firearms qualification to be completed within the first year of employment.

Probation Officers have the opportunity to obtain the most current and consistent training through the state requirement that they each obtain 21 hours of approved continuing education annually after their first 12 months of employment.

Virtual Training

The following is a list of current and projected trainings in the "Virtual Academy:"

The NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) encourages the use of and in some instances provides, advanced training "tools" to community corrections professionals. 

For example, as part of DPCA provided training, officers begin their professional experience with on-site computer-based training. This "Virtual Academy" is a framework for systematically improving the timelines and consistency of the most basic modules of fundamentals training for new officers (FPP). Some of these modules have been produced through funding and assistance from other state entities, such as the NYS Office of Mental Health, the Commission on the Quality Care of the Mentally Disabled, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Governor's Traffic Safety Board. The first computer disk (CD) created for Fundamentals training was entitled an Introduction to Community Corrections. Production of a CD which incorporates the Domestic Violence module currently presented will be completed for 2005.  

In June of 2004, DPCA introduced two new computer-based instruction tools on the DWI offender.  One for use by probation officers, Probation Supervision of Repeat DWI Offenders, and the other designed to be used by DWI offenders entitled Drinking, Driving and the Concern for Public Safety.  Also, DPCA contracted with the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), to develop a computer-based learning tool detailing the signs and symptoms of mental illness to be used by all community corrections professionals. This computer disk entitled, The Signs of Mental Illness: Training in Identification of Mental Illness for Probation and Community Alternatives Practitioners has recently been distributed to probation departments and to Alternatives to Incarceration programs (ATI) across the state.  Currently, a training video is being produced on the new Interstate Compact for distribution across the state.

In addition to producing taped trainings, DPCA worked with other state agencies in producing videoconference training on topics such as child support, mandated reporting and building effective relationships. DPCA's first statewide videoconference training program, Advancing the Use of Community Corrections through Science and Technology aired on March 31, 2004 to probation and community corrections professionals.

Specialized Training

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Project - In support of the Governor's policies promoting a coordinated criminal justice response to domestic violence, and with federal S.T.O.P. funds made available through the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), DPCA has collaborated with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence to implement this joint project that includes probation officer training and advisement in response to domestic violence. DPCA has a highly involved statewide network of Probation Domestic Violence Liaisons (DVLs) from each county probation department, and a Domestic Violence Workgroup. Both function as advisors in the design and implementation of model policies, procedures and protocols in response to domestic violence. DPCA provides and encourages agency-wide, consistent, coordinated training. DPCA has made significant progress in engaging the probation system to develop policies and procedures in each county. County probation departments play a key role in the coordinated criminal justice response to domestic violence.

The Probation Officer Safety and Survival Training (OSST) for Probation Officers provided to officers was developed by the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives, the NYS Probation Officers Association, the NYS Council of Probation Administrators and the NYS Division of Parole. This particular safety training was awarded the “Systems Approach Award” from the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel at their annual training conference in November of 2003 in Philadelphia, PA. The OSST is a three day program. Day one and day two are designed for all probation officers and topics include Mental and Physical Conditioning, Department Safety, Planning and Preparation for Field Safety, Tactics for Field Safety, and Critical Incidents. Day three is designed for officers who carry firearms but participation is open to all officers whether they carry firearms or not. The topics included in day three are: Arrest Process, Transportation of Prisoners, Using Aerosol Spray, and Firearm Safety and Storage.

Management Skills for Supervisors - This is a two day seminar designed for probation supervisors, those preparing to become supervisors and current senior probation officers. This curriculum applies equally well to those employed in Alternatives to Incarceration programs as well as probation employees.

The curriculum includes:

The content is appropriate for supervisors, regardless of experience. The presenters are experienced probation supervisors, trained in facilitating this material.

Executive Leadership - This advanced leadership session is designed for both new and experienced agency directors and those they rely on to carry out policy decisions. This one-day program is conducted by the Director and staff of the NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA). Topics include budget and fiscal services, state Rules and Regulations, the Annual Probation Program Plan, automation, peace officer policies, and instruction on Critical Incident Management.

Interstate Compact Training - DPCA regularly conducts regional interstate training for local interstate staff and probation directors to ensure compliance with the Interstate Compact, state laws and applicable regulations and to encourage best practices. During 2004, DPCA will participate in implementing the new Interstate Compact, signed by Governor Pataki this year.

Governor's Traffic Safety Committee - Repeat DWI Offender Training for Officers - With funds provided by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, DPCA provides updated training for probation officers in the supervision of repeat DWI offenders. Recently, DPCA introduced a new educational computer-based program for probationers. Currently probation departments in New York State are supervising nearly 23,000 repeat DWI offenders. Recent law has been enacted which lowered the BAC threshold to .08%. Probation officers use breath and urine testing, monitoring and surveillance, victim impact panels, and the treatment community to ensure probationer compliance with the law. Probation officers are tasked with supervising an increase in the use of Ignition Interlock devices and a new community services provision concerning repeat DWI offenders.

Pathways to Employment -The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) and the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) are partners in a new initiative directed at providing tools for unemployed probationers in order to secure gainful employment. The criminal justice literature is clear that gainful employment is part of the pro-social bonding needed to stabilize criminal offenders. DPCA's goal through this initiative is to increase the number of probationers who are employed and able to support their families, as well as pay restitution to victims and fees to supervising counties. We know that employment helps to reduce probationer recidivism and enhance public safety. (More Information)