probation officer

noun

1. an officer who investigates and reports on the conduct of offenders who are free on probation.

probation officer

noun

1. an officer of a court who supervises offenders placed on probation and assists and befriends them

Word History and Origins

Origin of probation officer¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

As far back as 1977, a probation officer had called him a threat to society who could not function outside prison.

From Los Angeles Times

Days later, Vernon told his probation officer that his phone number had changed.

From Los Angeles Times

Testifying Wednesday before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, Breane Wingfield said she was 14 when, in 2005, she was sexually assaulted in a van by a deputy probation officer employed at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.

From Los Angeles Times

One probation officer said the delays in the tags being fitted appeared to be due to a shortage of tags, while the Ministry of Justice said it was due to a backlog of former prisoners.

From BBC

Another route to prison is to ask the parole or probation officer permission to leave the state to break the state’s law.

From Slate