AFSCME Council 13 honors probation officers, parole agents during Law Enforcement Week
Berks County Adult Probation Officer works from home amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Law Enforcement Week, which takes place May 10 to May 16 this year, is a time to remember the public safety officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as honor those who continue to protect the public every day, even during an unprecedented health crisis.
AFSCME represents police officers, administrative professionals in police departments, correctional officers, probation officers, and parole agents, who make up an army of front-line heroes who keep our communities safe.
After police have responded to a crime scene and correctional officers have overseen a jail sentence, offenders often face probation or parole.
Berks County Probation Officer works from home amid COVID-19 pandemic.
Council 13 is proud to represent probation and parole members at the county and state levels. We thank them for their work year-round, and we are reminded of the dangers they constantly face, now more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even for Probation and Parole officers, it’s very different,” said President of AFSCME Local 462 (Berks County) Joe Scoboria about working during a pandemic.
He said his county has done a good job of taking precautions and adhering to social distancing measures. He said home visits have been reduced amidst this crisis, and it takes something as serious as an offender shooting off an AK-47 for them to respond in person, which did happen recently, and probation officers went to arrest them.
AFSCME Local 2455 (State Professionals – District 5 & 6) member and Parole Agent gets his temperature checked before entering office.
“I think Berks County is out in front in trying to safely supervise these people.”
Don McMonagle, President of AFSCME Local 2455 (State Professionals – District 5 & 6), said agents are wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and following safety protocol, but they still have to make home visits in addition to phone calls and Facetime check-ins.
“Obviously, the job always has its risks that are involved, even more so now with this highly contagious disease,” Don said.
“Parole Agents are still out doing the job that needs to be done. Public safety is job number one, so we keep at it.”
Parole Agent and member of AFSCME Local 2455 (State Professionals – District 5 & 6).
Thank you to our Pennsylvania sisters and brothers in Probation and Parole and thank you to all the law enforcement officers, agents, and employees, around the nation. We honor those who we have lost and fight to protect those who continue to serve. You can pay tribute to a fallen law enforcement officer this year by lighting a virtual candle. AFSCME is a proud partner and supporter of the police memorial and museum.