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Firearms requirements and training for probation officers

5:11:48

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Council Member Diana Ayala inquires about new firearms requirements for probation officers. Dalvanie Powell explains the current situation and expresses concerns about implementation.

New requirements aim to arm all probation officers, though not all units necessarily need to be armed
Concerns about officers who haven't handled firearms in many years being required to carry them
Issues with inadequate training for officers now required to carry firearms
Powell expresses worries about officers being penalized for situations created by the new policy
Calls for better training and consideration of which units actually need to be armed

Diana Ayala

5:11:48

But the new requirement is that they do?

Dalvanie Powell

5:11:51

Now she wants them all because of what happened in Queens and then the constant altercations between the gangs coming up in those neons and stuff now.

5:12:01

But, they don't have to be armed.

5:12:03

They don't really don't.

5:12:05

And, the other thing is for those who are being armed now, we have people that's in those units that haven't touched a gun in over twenty years.

5:12:13

So, I'm saying to them, if you just got if you just have to arm them, have them trained properly.

5:12:19

Get them reacquainted with carrying a firearm because I went without a firearm for twenty years and then about two years ago they'd sent me back to the range and I'm supposed to go pick up a gun whenever.

5:12:29

But I went through a three day training, I got re familiar familiarized with the gun.

5:12:35

Now they're putting my members in this in the requalification for one day and expects for them to be familiar with the guns and then they're being penalized because they're not used to it, they have their anxieties and they're being penalized.

5:12:47

I just had one that was suspended and like Benny was saying Benny was saying, I got members being suspended and brought up on charges for a situation that this administration created.

5:13:00

And, it's it's it's just it's just very sad.

5:13:02

And, the one thing I want to add too, we're predominantly females of color and I'm going say it out loud and nobody get offended, but we was predominantly men men and white would just be happening to us.

5:13:11

And I've written to the mayor, I've written to I've met with deputy mayors and nothing has been done yet and I'm very concerned.

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Changes and challenges in probation work

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Testimony by Megan French-Marcelin, Representative of NY ATI/Reentry Coalition