The Probation Department of the Nassau County government manages supervision of adult and juvenile probationers. In 2012, there were 591 total juvenile arrests in Nassau County, a slight drop from the 722 arrests in 2008. Major categories of juvenile arrests have fallen modestly during this period. In 2008, the number of larceny arrests totaled 232, but by 2012 this had fallen to 196. The number of robberies has sharply declined from 90 in 2008 to 59 in 2012. The number of burglary arrests fell from 41 in 2008 to 33 in 2012.
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Changes in Juvenile Probation in Nassau County, New York
This decline in juvenile crime dates back several years and has contributed to a shrinking juvenile probation officer workforce in Nassau County. In 1999 the number of probation officers in the county was 222, but this number fell year over year until by 2003, there were only 147 probation officers employed by the county. This contributed to rising caseloads for probation officers with the monthly average being 139 cases. The number of investigative caseloads was 29 per officer per month.
Nassau County has implemented several programs that assist juveniles and their families. The Family and Children’s Association manages the Persons in Need of Services program which helped 373 youths and 1,492 family members in 2010. This program uses counseling and treatment, including Strengthening Families and Moral Recondition Therapy to help reduce recidivism. Graduates of this program have only a 13 percent recidivism rate. The Freeport Pride program is a diversionary program that has helped juveniles avoid detention and reduce recidivism to 15 percent for graduates.
Training and Requirements to Become a Juvenile Probation Officer in Nassau County, New York
The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university. Applicants with at least two years of community supervision of juveniles are shown preference in the hiring process. Candidates should also possess these qualifications
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a valid New York driver’s license or possess a reliable means of statewide transportation
- Have the ability to obtain New York Peace Officer status
Juvenile probation officers are New York peace officers and must complete the appropriate training for certification. The requirements for peace officer certification are
- Be younger than 36 but older than 20 years of age
- Have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/100
- Complete successfully a physical abilities test which has components in sit ups, push ups, and a 1.5 mile run
New juvenile probation officers must complete 70 hours of pre-service training as well as 35 hours of peace officer training. If the use of firearms is authorized, then probation officers must qualify annually in their use. A minimum of 21 hours of additional training must obtained annually.
Juvenile probation officer jobs in Nassau County, New York will be posted at the Nassau County human resources website.