Chief Probation Officer - Warrant Apprehension Unit
About The Position
The Chief Probation Officer – Warrant Apprehension (WAU CPO), working out of the Massachusetts Training Operations Center (MTOC), provides senior leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for statewide or regional warrant enforcement operations within the Massachusetts Probation Service. The position is responsible for coordinating the safe and effective apprehension of probationers and individuals with outstanding warrants, ensuring compliance with statutory mandates, court orders, and agency policies. This role directs specialized field operations, supervises warrant teams, and collaborates extensively with courts, law enforcement partners, and community agencies to promote public safety and successful case resolution. In addition to issuing after-hours warrants, the WAU CPO may perform and participate in a variety of additional administrative functions including the hiring and supervision of assigned employees, the review of probation related reports and data, research, and the development of programs and new work functions and units.
Requirements
- Candidates must have taken and passed the 2026 CPO promotional exam to be eligible to apply to the position of Chief Probation Officer, unless you are a current Chief Probation Officer with the Massachusetts Probation Service.
- Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
- Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the probation service as an Assistant Chief Probation Officer or equivalent/higher position in Probation Services.
- Must have a record of regular participation in professional development opportunities.
- All applicants must pass the applicable Probation Promotional Exam and the Assessment for the position of Chief Probation Officer, and satisfy the following minimum requirements:
Nice To Haves
- Graduate degree in behavioral sciences, education, administration, management, or criminal justice is preferred.
- Supervisory training and/or experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee a warrant apprehension unit, including supervising Assistant Chiefs, Supervisors, Probation Officers, and specialized field staff.
- Work in collaboration with the Chief Probation Officer of the Warrant Management Unit of the Electronic Monitoring (ELMO) center to coordinate warrant management and apprehension functions of the MPS.
- Manage the planning, execution, and evaluation of warrant operations, including high risk field activity.
- Prioritize warrant caseloads and ensure timely, accurate case review and field deployment.
- Ensure all operations adhere to safety protocols, MPS policies, and applicable laws.
- Collaborate with judges, court leadership, local police, state and federal agencies, and community partners to coordinate warrant activities and information sharing.
- Collaborates with law enforcement in real time to triage response to warrants based on risk to public safety.
- Oversee intelligence gathering, case analysis, and risk assessment to support effective apprehension strategies.
- Provide leadership and guidance in complex, sensitive, or high-profile cases.
- Provides monthly reports to the First Deputy Commissioner of the MPS
- Ensure high quality documentation, data integrity, and timely reporting of warrant outcomes and operational metrics.
- Maintains accurate attendance, time logs, weekly time and attendance sheets, and reconciles the HR/CMS time log for assigned and on-call staff.
- Manage staffing assignments, overtime controls, and resource allocation for warrant apprehension operations.
- Develop and implement training, tactical readiness, and professional development programs for warrant teams.
- Promote and uphold organizational priorities related to equity, procedural justice, professionalism, and trauma informed practice.
- Represent MPS in meetings, task forces, and multi‑agency initiatives related to warrant enforcement and field operations.
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, ethical conduct, effective communication, and operational excellence.
- Provides technical assistance to work units and local probation departments in areas that include training, warrant management, warrant apprehension, and management of information systems.
- Assists in the hiring and conducts investigations of MPS personnel as assigned by the first Deputy Commissioner.
- Conducts regular meetings with assigned staff and other MPS personnel and CPOs in order to advise on a variety of probation and employee management issues.
- Represents the First Deputy Commissioner as needed on internal and external boards, committees, task forces, initiatives, and groups.
- Supervises and manages warrant apprehension staff, when applicable, during the evening shift, serving as the Department Head responsible for designating work assignments, monitoring the completion of those assignments, and taking corrective action including progressive discipline when necessary if employee conduct does not meet expectations; and Performs other related duties as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
