Real-Life Communication
Communication is key in this line of work. As a probation officer,
you'll need to communicate with the people on probation (probationers). You'll
need to communicate with your superiors about what's going on with your cases.
You'll need to communicate with people in the probationer's life, such as
employees at other law enforcement agencies. And your words can have a serious
impact on the probationer's life.
You need to write a report about
Jack Smith, a probationer. A judge is asking for a clear report to determine
whether Smith has:
1: Been in his residence every day from 10 p.m.
to 7 a.m.
2: Avoided the two people he is under strict orders to avoid
3:
Avoided the use of alcohol
To the best of your knowledge, Smith has
met all of his conditions. You've checked in on him and questioned him, and
you feel as confident as you can that he has done well. Someone mentioned
that they saw someone who looked like Smith out late one night, but you were
never able to confirm it. How would you write a report about Smith in a few
sentences to a judge?
"If you cannot communicate in written form,
you won't remain a probation officer very long," says Steven Bordin. He's
the chief probation officer of the county of Butte in California. "Being able
to communicate with other agencies, peers, superiors and probationers is vital
for a probation officer."