The rate of juvenile crime in Richmond County has been decreasing in recent years. The number of juveniles arrested in the county in 2011 was less than 81% of the total for 2010. However, even with that decrease, nearly 1,600 youths were arrested in 2011 and required the services of juvenile probation/parole officers.
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The recidivism rate for delinquent youths in Richmond County in 2009 was higher than in much of the rest of Georgia, with 31% of the youths having committed another offense within a year of their previous one.
As the largest city in Richmond County, the crime rate in Augusta contributes significantly to crime levels in the county overall. Although Augusta averaged one murder a month from January through May 2013, this is a substantially lower number than were committed during the same time frame of 2012. The total number of crimes in each of these months has also been lower than during the same period in 2012.
Degree Requirements for Juvenile Probation/Parole Officers in Richmond County
Either a bachelor’s degree or two years of relevant experience is required to become a juvenile probation/parole officer in Richmond County. The Department of Juvenile Justice considers relevant experience to be having reported criminal history records or criminal proceedings court records or having been a peace officer.
Additional requirements for juvenile probation officer jobs in Richmond County include undergoing a criminal background check and a review of the applicant’s driving history. Candidates who have at least a year’s experience working with juvenile offenders in a detention center or group home or managing offenders’ cases may be shown preference.
Training to Become a Juvenile Probation/Parole Officer in Richmond County
To learn how to become juvenile probation/parole officers, new employees undergo two different types of training. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center is the site of basic training.
Trainees undergo pre-service training. After the forty hours of training, they can start their new jobs. Once on the job, they must take part in 120 hours of orientation within their first year of employment. Juvenile probation/parole officers who are established in their careers are required to obtain an additional 24 hours of training a year.
To be promoted to a rank of juvenile probation/parole specialist II, applicants will have to receive a score of at least 70% on a three hour examination on criminal justice. The Personnel Administration of the state administers this exam.