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Probation seeks new trainee slot, authorizes grant pursuit for phone-forensics software
Summary
Warren County probation requested creation of a probation officer trainee position to fill an upcoming promotion and asked to apply for a grant from Operation Underground Railroad to buy Datapilot phone-forensics software. The committee approved both requests and authorized budget amendments if awards arrive.
Warren County probation told the Public Safety & Emergency Services Committee on Jan. 21 it plans to create a probation officer trainee position to support a promotion to senior probation officer and to use existing funding from the vacant probation officer line to pay the trainee.
The change is designed to lower entry salary costs while retaining the authorized probation officer position on the books for future promotion, probation staff said.
Probation Director explained the office has had recent retirements and promotions; promoting an existing employee to senior creates a vacant probation officer slot. The department wants to "create a probation officer trainee position, use the funding from the probation officer position for that trainee, which will be less, and then keep the vacant probation officer line there because in a year, we're gonna promote the probation officer trainee to a probation officer." Supervisors discussed this as a recruitment and training strategy and approved the personnel action by voice vote.
Separately, the committee authorized probation to apply for and accept up to $15,000 from Operation Underground Railroad to buy Datapilot digital-forensic software for reviewing probationers' cellphones. Probation staff said the software would allow the department to download and review phones more quickly rather than relying on other law enforcement agencies that have larger backlogs. The presenter described a typical annual use of five to seven downloads per month and estimated the grant award would likely be closer to $10,000; ongoing annual licensing costs (roughly $1,500) would be addressed in future budgets if the grant is awarded.
The motion to create the probation officer trainee position was moved by Supervisor Conover and seconded by Supervisor Driscoll and carried. The request to apply for Operation Underground Railroad funding and to accept award proceeds and associated documents was also approved; staff said they would amend the budget and execute contracts if funding arrives.
