Have Perceptions Changed Among Staff Regarding Parole Officers’ Carrying Firearms?: A Description of Changes in Safety Perceptions and Supervisory Styles at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division

Abstract

The purpose of this research is threefold. The first purpose is to describe the changes in safety perceptions of Parole Division staff since the implementation of the firearms policy within the division. The second purpose is to explore possible changes in supervisory style since the implementation of the firearms policy (Welebob 1998, 4). The third purpose is to determine possible changes in staff safety perceptions since Welebob's findings. The survey method was used to analyze the possible changes in safety perceptions and supervisory styles. The sampling frame consisted of 347 Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division staff members. Overall, there were no major changes in safety perceptions and supervisory styles among carriers, non-carriers, and support staff since Welebob's 1998 study.