Probation Quality Control, Evaluation and Training
The Quality Control/Program Evaluation/Training Officers’ Unit (QC/PE/TO) assists the Department with a variety of functions. It has oversight of the Department’s use of evidence-based practices in the supervision of criminal justice-involved youths and adults. The unit’s Range Masters provides the Department’s officers with firearms and field tactics trainings.
The Probation Department utilizes a variety of evidence-based tools and assessments to include Motivational Interviewing (MI) Techniques when interviewing clients. Motivational Interviewing is a set of skills designed to help clients find the motivation to make a positive behavior change by encouraging a collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
The unit oversees the Department’s implementation and ongoing training of Effective Practices in Community Supervision model (EPICS) developed by the University of Cincinnati Institute (UCCI). EPICS is designed to use a combination of monitoring, referrals, goal setting, problem-solving techniques, and face-to-face interactions to provide supervised individuals with sufficient treatment and make the best possible use of time to develop a collaborative working relationship.
The QC/PE/TO unit also provides the oversight of the Department’s use of Thinking for a Change 4.0 (T4C). T4C is an integrated cognitive behavioral change program that incorporates research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and the learning and use of problem-solving skills.
The Training Officers (TO) team provides a high level of instruction and works to stay informed of changes in laws and tactics, as well as innovative ideas and practices in order to ensure the Department’s officers are well trained. Working closely with several stakeholders, including the California Board of State and Community Corrections, the TO team develops and conducts several important training programs within the Probation Department.
Armed probation officers are required to participate in quarterly firearms training that is led by the TO team. This quarterly training includes topics such as firearms fundamentals and scenarios designed to aid in the use of force decision-making process. The TO team is also responsible for developing and conducting reality-based training, using Simunitions equipment, to further support development of officers’ field tactics, de-escalation techniques, and the use of force decision-making process. This team also leads training in the use of defensive weapons, such as the expandable baton and Oleoresin spray.