By Kristen Doerschner
Beaver County Times
BEAVER — A change in policy may impact how adult probation officers do their jobs in Beaver County.
The county’s 26 adult probation officers will now have the option to carry a firearm while they are working.
Beaver County President Judge John D. McBride signed an order Thursday morning that marks a change in the county’s long-standing policy that probation officers not be allowed to carry a gun on the job.
McBride said his decision came after a lot of consideration and years of discussion with Adult Probation Director Don Neill.
Beaver County was one of only 11 counties that did not permit their probation officers to carry a firearm while working. There are 67 counties in the state.
Allegheny, Butler, Lawrence and Washington counties arm their probation officers.
Neill said he’s pleased with the change and is concerned about the safety of the officers. “I think it’s a long time coming; I think it’s the trend in the state,” he said. “Ultimately the goal is to have them (the probation officers) out in the community more.”
Currently, most people under supervision go to the courthouse or a satellite office to check in with their probation officer. Neill said the officers do some “selective field work” in special situations, but not on a routine basis.
McBride said a policy has been developed for officers who choose to carry a firearm, and they will have to complete classroom and range training.
Neill said the officers will comply with the protocol and training established by the Pennsylvania Firearm Education and Training Commission.
Probation officers, like other courthouse employees, must keep their firearms locked in a secure locker while they are in the courthouse.