In the same week that former President Donald Trump sat down for a virtual visit with a New York City probation officer, the critical work of probation services was spotlighted. As head of the United Probation Officers Association, I must emphasize the essential role probation officers play in not only enforcing the law, but giving New Yorkers involved in the criminal justice system a second chance. and the urgent need for City support and investment. The Trump trial highlights the important role probation plays in the law enforcement ecosystem.
Yet we are in urgent need of support and investment from the City. New York City’s probation officers face untenable workloads and inadequate pay.
Our department has seen a 45% drop in staff since 2019, with only 389 probation officers and 169 supervising officers remaining. This alarming decrease, with about 100 officers leaving in the past year, is driven by the lure of higher-paying jobs with probation departments in nearby counties, and other law enforcement agencies in New York City.
In a May 30 letter to Mayor Eric Adams, I stressed that this staffing reduction and workload increase are unfair to officers and harmful to the clients they serve. Building trust with clients is a cornerstone of effective probation supervision.
Criminal justice experts increasingly recognize the need for alternatives to jail, such as probation. Yet, our department faces a proposed budget cut to $110.6 million for fiscal year 2025, down from $119.9 million. We have 222 vacant probation officer positions and 14 supervising officer vacancies. The City Council has urged the mayor to restore $9.3 million in funding to fill some positions and support youth and safety programs, but this is insufficient.
Probation Commissioner Juanita Holmes testified to the City Council about the significant challenge of workforce attrition. Despite her assurance of preparedness, the reality is starkly different. City Probation Officers supervise over 14,000 individuals in the criminal justice system, a decrease from 17,299 adult and 770 juvenile cases in fiscal 2019, yet the workload remains immense and complex.
Starting salaries for probation officers are $45,934 per year, inadequate for living in the city, let alone competing with higher-paying nearby counties. After 11 years, salaries only rise to about $53,000, while NYPD salaries start at $58,580 and reach $121,589 after five and a half years. Unlike cops or firefighters, New York City probation officers must hold a bachelor’s degree, complicating recruitment.
We are peace officers who carry firearms, make arrests, and engage in social work to prevent re-arrest. Despite these responsibilities, our compensation does not reflect our critical work. Our members deserve classification as part of the city’s uniformed workforce, entitling them to better pay and benefits.
The current contract expired in November 2020. Under the Taylor Law, benefits and pay rates remain unchanged until a new deal is negotiated. This situation is untenable and must be addressed.
In 2021, our union sued the City of New York in federal court, arguing that our predominantly female, minority members face pay discrimination. This case is pending. Additionally, bail reform and New York’s Raise the Age law have increased probation officer’s caseloads, leading to more youths being prosecuted in family court and sentenced to supervised release.
Probation offers a critical second chance for individuals to become law-abiding and productive citizens. Successful probation saves the city and state millions by reducing victimization and property damage. However, without adequate staffing and fair compensation, our ability to perform this essential role is compromised.
I implore the mayor to recognize the Department of Probation’s importance and the invaluable work of its officers. The department is in crisis, requiring immediate action. We need more than just the 100 new officers Commissioner Holmes plans to hire in August; we need over 200 recruits to address the current shortfall. Probation officers should not be the working poor. We need salaries reflecting the importance of our work and aligning with other law enforcement agencies.
With the mayor’s support, we can make the necessary changes to ensure probation officers are adequately compensated and so that the department can continue to provide essential services to the city. Let us work together to correct these disparities and build a stronger, safer New York City.
Dalvanie Powell is the president of the United Probation Officers Association.