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Tompkins County Legislature OKs policy authorizing select probation officers to carry firearms
Summary
After community review and committee amendments, the Tompkins County Legislature approved a departmental policy allowing designated probation officers working on high‑risk cases to carry firearms; the vote was 12–2 and included a direction to explore body‑worn cameras for field work.
Tompkins County legislators voted 12–2 on Feb. 4 to adopt a departmental policy authorizing certain probation officers in the Department of Probation and Community Justice to carry firearms while supervising high‑risk cases.
The policy, moved by Legislator Rich John and seconded by Legislator Lee Shurtleff, follows community meetings requested last year and includes provisions for psychological evaluation, training, limits on open versus concealed carry, and procedures to suspend carrying privileges if concerns arise. The Legislature also added a charge for the Public Safety Committee to work with the department on a parallel policy for body‑worn cameras during field work.
Supporters said the policy responds to safety risks probation officers encounter while supervising people involved with gun‑related cases and programs funded under the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grant. Department head Dan…
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