Need an answer on a probation question?

If you are interested in or need to know something about probation, send me an email at probationuncovered@gmail.com

Perhaps you're on probation and don't want to ask your probation officer.  Or your probation officer isn't the type of PO that you can ask questions to (yes, I mean they're an asshole).  Or you are on probation, but aren't assigned to a probation officer (banked caseload, kiosk reporting, etc.).

Perhaps you aren't on probation, but someone you care about is.  And you want to know more about what is going on with their situation.  Or they are in jail on a violation and can't ask themselves.  Or they are afraid to ask.

Perhaps you are considering a career in probation.  Or you are in law enforcement and want clarification on a probation question.

Ask away.  I'll do my best to answer questions in detail.


P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

Twitter - @PODoe2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/probationuncovered/
Email - probationuncovered@gmail.com

Question of the Week: Why anonymous?

Why anonymous?  In a word - vindictiveness.  My employer, like a good many employers, are predictable when it comes to things that aren't their idea.  Like an employee who wants to use write books and use social media to talk about the job.  I'm not willing to kiss the ring for permission and then have to clear everything I write for approval before I publish it.  As I have recently talked about in my getting an involuntary transfer, the boss has shown that payback is alive and well. 

Plus there are concerns that someone in that chain will try and twist what I say.  Or even more damaging, try to say that I have violated some sort of confidentiality.  This even though all my stories and information has been heavily sanitized, redacted or modified. 

And I need this job.  For both the pay and the benefits.  Damn medical insurance is expensive.  I need to support my rather large family and make sure that they are kept healthy.  One medication alone that my spouse uses is $400 per month and wouldn't be doable if I didn't have insurance and a lower copay!

Yes, there is free speech.  Yes, there are consequences for what you say when you use your right to free speech.  Yes, I need to keep anonymous...


P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

Twitter - @PODoe2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/probationuncovered/

Involuntary transfer

So, I received my official notice of involuntary transfer today.  Over the years, I worked at many jobs with a variety of employers.  I've also worked with several other law enforcement agencies in a variety of capacities.  I've seen several that operate in the same manner that my employer does.  There is little to no communication from upper management.  They truly don't act as if you are anything more than a number to them - if they even know your name, they don't know anything about you.  And not even on a personal level in knowing your spouse and children's names, but just even knowing where you have worked and what type of worker that you are.  Managing people is the lazy way out - it takes work to be a leader. 

It takes effort to know your people and their strengths and weaknesses.  It takes effort to continually strive to be a better leader.  It takes effort to take care of your people.  And it shows when you don't.  When you don't take care of your people, they don't take care of you as a boss.  Rationalize it all you want as a boss.  You can say that you're just making the hard decisions all you want.  Leaders make the hard decisions and still have the loyalty of their people because they have taken care of those people and the informed subordinate is more likely to understand.

I have also worked with or for organizations and agencies that get it.  The leadership is truly leadership.  The bosses take care of their people and foster that in all levels of management positions.  They communicate from the top down so you know exactly where you stand - and you feel supported, that the loyalty goes both ways.  The employees in that type of place are much more likely to say that they work for the greatest agency around.

Not where I work... 

But let me at least buffer that a little bit.  I get my paycheck when it's supposed to be there and benefits that are fairly decent.  I like most of the people that I work with and I do my best to avoid those that I don't get along with to avoid the dreaded workplace conflict.  I'm not currently being micromanaged.  So, how I choose to react to the situation is on me.  This may not be my most suitable assignment considering my background and training, but I will get the job done. 

Life goes on.  There is no use in being miserable!




P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

Twitter - @PODoe2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/probationuncovered/

Same thing by a different name

In addition to probation, I've noticed this in other fields that I've worked in - people will slightly tweak a program or procedure, rename it and/or change the names of the steps/phases/etc. and then call it their own.  The might get an award out of it or they might even be marketing the process as a consultant or trainer. 

I recently learned about this philosophy called Positive Youth Development.  Basically, it is mentoring.  Swap in a few fancy terms and throw in a spin.  Gather some data and show that it has the magical probation flavor of the month with Evidence Based results and you've got yourself something else to mandate all staff for training on it! 

Same thing by a different name...



P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

Twitter - @PODoe2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/probationuncovered/

Too blunt?

This is politically correct world that we live in, especially on the social services side of the job.  But what does that limit?  Being honest and forthcoming is something that we demand of our probationers, so what about us?  Does sugar coating things really help?  Sure.  It does.  But, as with all things, it must be balanced.  Accountability, regardless of the age of your client population, is a keystone of rehabilitation.  You have to be able to communicate exactly what it is that is or isn't happening, how it needs to be corrected and do it without someone getting all butt hurt. 

But isn't that really a factor of life as we know it in the government and corporate worlds?  If you speak you mind in a manner that the bosses don't like, they will find a way to pay you back.  Oops, I meant, hold you accountable.  So, who determines what is offensively honest?  That is the $10,000 question...


Stay safe - both in the field and in the world of political correctness!!


P. O. Doe


#probation
#probationuncovered
#politicallyincorrect

Twitter - @PODoe2015
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/probationuncovered/

Amazon preorder

Set and Run - A Profile of Timothy McVeigh

Now available for pre-order on Amazon.

http://amzn.com/B015F9S908



P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered
#profiling

New eBook in the works

My next eBook will be coming out at the end of the month.  I will have it available for pre-order on Amazon in the next couple of days. 

The topic of the eBook is a profile of mass murderer and domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh.  I will address the background of McVeigh, his crime and how he fits (or doesn't fit) into a profile for that type of offender.



Thanks!

P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

Man bit parole officer on face, kicked another during arrest

Police say Greensboro man bit parole officer on face, kicked another during arrest

By Joe Gamm joe.gamm@greensboro.com | Posted: Saturday, September 5, 2015 9:33 pm

Chancellor Covington Smith of 2701 Patterson St. bit a male officer on the face and chest, breaking the skin in both places, according the warrants. Arrest records and jail records listed different home addresses for Smith.GREENSBORO — As probation and parole officers tried to take a 20-year-old Greensboro man into custody Friday, he bit one and kicked another, according to arrest warrants.

He kicked a female officer in an arm and ran from custody, warrants state. Officers caught him and took him to the Guilford County jail.

Smith faces charges of parole violation, assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury, assault on a government official and resisting a public officer.

He remains in the jail without bail. 

P. O. Doe

#probation
#probationuncovered

One study on police body cameras

A review of a year of the use of body cameras by one California Police Agency.


http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/sep/08/sdpd-body-cameras-use-of-force-complaints/



P. O. Doe


#probation
#probationncovered
#podoe2015

A few days away

So taking the long weekend to adjust my perspectives. The assignment that I was doing wasn't working out for me, so I asked for a transfer. I get that transfer, but to an extremely undesirable assignment. That is why the last blog post be careful wha you ask for. So I need to move on and make the best of the position.
Another shining example of politics and payback in action. But I do realize that this type of thing happens in basically every work place. It is just a reality. So all I can control of it is how I react to it. I was angry, but now I can accept the hand I was dealt and my role in the consequences for my actions. This is the same thing I have tried to teach my probationers. It's just life.

Politics and paybacks

The old adage that you need to be careful of what you wish for came for me today.  I asked for something to happen.  I asked for a specific outcome.  Well, that something happened, but without the requested outcome.  Because the management knows that they have no repercussions for doing what they did, they can tell me what ever they think is politically correct to say and smile knowing that they did me wrong.  And I can't do a damn thing about it but go to work and keep paying my bills. 

This is life.  No matter where you go, there will be this type of thing happening.  No matter where you work, this will happen.  No matter who you are, this will happen.  Whether you are the probation officer or the probationer, this is the way the world works.

Be careful of what you ask for, you just may get it and it isn't what you had in mind!!  The only one to blame is really you, because you asked for it!!!


P. O. Doe


#probation
#probationuncovered