Well its been a long road, but I'm almost through with college. I'm looking to graduate fall semester of '09 and I'm looking at what jobs to try for. Seems quite a few people I go to school with are interested in being a parole officer. So I thought I'd try to get some information from the experts. Again this applies to Texas.

What is the job really like?
How is it decided what area you work in?
What are the perks?
What would make me say I'd have to be crazy to do this?
Are Tx parole officers armed?

That's all I can think of right now. But please fill me in on whatever you can think of.

I appreciate it. Thanks guys!

I'm not a PO, but from what I've seen and heard I cant think of a job I'd hate more. You're always dealing with the lowest common denominator and shitty excuses why somebody didnt report in or pissed dirty.

If it were me living in Texas I would goto work for the border partrol, pays good, gov't job, get to play with the toy's often.

The only experience I have is talking to/dealing with them in dispatch and the few times while riding out.

I wouldn't wanna do it and most young guys move on and go through an academy and go to a patrol job. But I mean damn you're dealing with parolees all the time. It's kinda like working for TDCJ or a county as a jailer.

Having been a PO in Houston, I can tell you of my experience.  First off in TX, you are not a peace officer.  Unless it has changed since I went through the academy.  At the time TDCJ did not want the liability of making us peace officers, not to mention the training costs associated with that.  So, I was armed with a stungun and pepper spray.  Secondly, what was so aptly said, you are dealing with the scum of the earth.  Granted I had two people in my caseload of about 65 who actually reported on time and did what they were supposed to do.  It used to piss me off seeing these people pull up in cars I could never afford, and not have the money to pay their fees, or a job.  Did I mention all the whining and excuses.  I knew they were dirty, but there was not a whole lot you could do about it.  Also, you as a PO never had any real power.  It took an act of congress to get a blue warrant on one of your people, and generally took 2-3 weeks to hear back from Austin, and then they still might not violate them.  You are a mini-social worker who must try and rehab these people, who for the most part don't want help.  They don't want to work and always have an excuse why the can't.  I was a PO back in the early 90's. It might have changed now, but I wouldn't count on it.  I eventually quit and joined the police force.  At least I could put them in jail.  Good luck with your career, whatever it may be.

Parole Officers are not Peace Officers in Texas, but under Penal Code section 46.15(a) they are exempt from the UCW and Places Weapons Weapons Prohibited (46.02 and 46.03).

They have to be in compliance with policies and procedures adopted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice regarding the possession of a weapon by a parole officer while on duty.

Hmmm, well I guess I know what I WON'T be doing lol.

Thanks guys.

I know two guys who were POs, keyword being were. Both are police officers now and never had a good thing to say about being a PO except the fact they could make their own hours.