Weekly Probation Officer visits at the Public Safety Office – Meet Leya

Tuesdays at the Public Safety Office (118 Head of the Lake Road)

My name is Leya, I’m an adult probation officer at Vernon Community Corrections. I’ve been a probation officer for over ten years. I worked in the North for the first eight years of my time with Community Corrections and returned to the Okanagan in 2023. Having been born and raised in the area, I was delighted to return home. I look forward to working in this region for many years to come and hope to be helpful to those having to navigate the justice system and community supervision.

 As a probation officer, I wear two hats. I administer the orders our clients receive from court, but I also offer support to clients who are on those community supervision orders. It is always my goal to support clients in successfully completing their term of community supervision and fulfilling the requirements of court-issued conditions in a way that’s culturally relevant, meaningful for the individual, and in a way that contributes to their healing journey. I can assist in connecting clients to resources, in helping clients to establish communication with other agencies, answering questions about community supervision orders, and collaborating with clients who want to make change. It is my hope that being available in the community will provide folks with more convenient and comfortable access to our services.

I’ll be in the community at the Public Safety Department offices (118 Head of the Lake Rd) each Tuesday. I look forward to my time there!

FAQs

Do you carry a weapon?
No, probation officers are not police officers, and we do not have police training; we hold peace officer status and are officers of the Court. Though we are not counsellors, we are equipped with skills and tools to share with clients that can support them in better communication, managing their own thoughts and feelings, and making better choices for themselves, their families, and their communities. Some aspects of the probation officer role have a few elements in common with social workers. We have a duty to report where harm may occur or be occurring and we strive to connect our clients with services in the community that can further support them in success.

Reporting is pointless, why should I do it?

On occasion, some probation orders do not require a client to report however, if a judge or justice feels the client could benefit from connection to Community Corrections or other support agencies, they will include a reporting condition to Community Corrections (probation) which is why POs assist in connecting clients to services. In addition to these connections, probation officers do one to one work with clients in appointments that can be of benefit to the client. We work on goal setting, problem solving, awareness of the thought-behaviour link, emotions management, communication, and often refer clients to Community Corrections core programs or programs in the community for further learning.

Can probation officers make you go to substance use treatment centres?

No, probation officers do not have the authority to direct someone to attend a treatment centre. Indeed, most centres will not admit someone who is not there voluntarily. If a client expresses an interest in attending a treatment centre, probation officers can connect them with support agencies that assist with applying for admission and funding to treatment centres, and we support the client in their treatment endeavors by allowing for more flexible reporting while they are away healing. Community Corrections does not have reserved beds at any treatment centres and they cannot order urinalysis testing.