All of the emphasis should be placed on assisting every probationer with completing their probation successfully. Jablecki said none of his 80 probation officers will be allowed the option of being armed. Under guidelines adopted by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, parole and probation officers must be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, have a criminal history background check and undergo a psychological exam before being eligible to carry a handgun. They must carry the weapon concealed and wear a badge signifying their right to carry. It's a personal option.
Many parolees are on mandatory release and have a violent history.
Frequently, they live in neighborhoods with other people who have that potential. Even now that officers carry firearms, the weapons are strictly for defensive purposes. Our officers do not make arrests. Officers also are allowed to carry handguns in eight of the 18 states where probation and parole are separate. In six states, handguns are mandatory, particularly those where officers are, or can be, licensed peace officers.