Revisiting Police–Adult Probation Partnerships in Texas: Troubling Signs

Abstract

It has been almost 10 years since the Correctional Management Institute of Texas surveyed police chiefs in Texas in 2007, concluding that the overwhelming majority of police–probation partnerships in Texas were informal rather than formal. This study revisits police–adult probation partnerships in Texas using new state-wide data collected from both police and adult probation chiefs in 2016. This study found some troubling signs in the nature and extent of partnerships: The majority of police agencies in 2016 had no partnerships at all, but approximately 75 of probation agencies did, albeit mostly informal ones. Although both police and adult probation chiefs appeared to be open to future formal partnerships, they were only interested if initiated by another agency. The findings of this study highlight the importance of formalizing and institutionalizing partnerships for sustainability over the long term. The roles of regional professional organizations will be critical to expand partnerships.