The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) regularly receives inquiries regarding the arming policies and practices of adult and juvenile probation and parole agencies throughout the United States.

The purpose of this research is threefold. The first purpose is to describe the changes in safety perceptions of Parole Division staff since the implementation of the firearms policy within the division. The second purpose is to explore possible changes in supervisory style since the implementation of the firearms policy. The third purpose is to determine possible changes in staff safety perceptions since Welebob’s findings.

The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) neither supports nor opposes the carrying of weapons by probation and parole officers; however, should the decision be made by an agency to authorize officers to carry weapons, that decision must be made within the framework of actual need, officer safety demands, and must be consistent with the laws and policies which guide that agency.