BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Probation officers will now have the opportunity to be armed for self-defense purposes if they so choose following county action.

Legislators approved a resolution during the Full Board meeting on April 7, clearing the way for officers who work in an "evolving and challenging environment" to carry handguns.

The approval comes after weeks of research, policy review and discussions regarding the subject.

"The process of implementation in St. Lawrence County has been well-informed and intentional, as it has included the continued work of the Board Appointed Committee, and information gathered from staff, to ensure that all aspects of the decision are considered carefully before a recommendation is made," legislators said.

After consideration, the committee appointed to implement the arming program suggested five areas that required more work, leading to more research, policy reviews, training reviews, budget reviews and an implementation plan being developed.

Subcommittees were established for each of the five subjects, with legislators, members of the public, key county stakeholders and members of the Probation Department field and supervisory staff all participating.

Subcommittees met four times each, completing their work on Feb. 13, with the board appointed committee bringing final recommendations to the board on Feb. 27.

Now, probation officers will be able to be armed by this summer, officials said.

Probation Director Tim LePage said the nature of the job has changed, as officers encounter more individuals with substance abuse or mental health issues.

He said officers began training for and carrying pepper spray in 2018, eventually utilizing ballistic vests in 2022 for protection. Those vests were purchased with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

By 2023, the department began researching the possibility of arming officers as the "drug problem worsened," he said.

While the vote was unanimous at the Operations Committee meeting as well as the Full Board meeting, legislator Margaret Haggard questioned if the opportunity should be extended to other departments as well.

Of note, she said Department of Social Services employees also encounter "very dangerous situations at times," and suggested the county look into a similar program.

To fund the venture, the subcommittee reviewing budget implications noted funding had been received from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for pretrial services in the amount of $206,139 and this would be an appropriate use of these funds to pay for the equipment and training needed to develop proficiency, officials said.

As part of the process, all probation officers who intend to carry will also undergo psychological evaluations.

Body cameras will also be required for field work after review by the subcommittee tasked with reviewing implementation measures.

A timeline has also been established, with back-up options set, to ensure timely and appropriate training for officers. That would include utilizing the SUNY Potsdam Police Academy, with assistance from the Jefferson County Probation Department and St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office.

Annual training will also evolve, with all officers required to undergo defensive tactics training, deescalation training, motivational interviewing, verbal judo, training in the safe handling of firearms, Stop the Bleed and firearms training twice per year, officials said.

With the Probation Department now being armed, the county will also need to purchase and maintain firearms, gun belts, storage units and train staff for the cleaning, inspection and safety of the firearms, county officials said.

As a result, the county will have to spend $85,000 to train 10 field staff, with at least two supervisory staff expected to also be trained.

A budget modification for $85,000 was also approved concurrently to pay for the training and equipment purchases.

Annual updates will also be provided by the director of the Probation Department as part of the agreement, officials said.