Probation and Parole Officer Safety Task Force Act of 2004

H.R. 4982, the Probation and Parole Officer Safety Task Force Act of 2004, proposed the creation of a specialized task force within the Department of Justice to investigate the safety risks faced by probation and parole officers. The group was tasked with reviewing federal and state policies to develop national guidelines for safety training, equipment standards, and protocols regarding the use of force and firearms. Additionally, the bill required the Bureau of Justice Statistics to conduct annual reviews of violence committed against these officers to better understand the dangers of the profession.

For citizens, this legislation aimed to improve the safety and effectiveness of the officers responsible for supervising individuals re-entering the community from prison. By establishing standardized safety protocols and tracking incidents of violence, the bill sought to ensure that these public servants are better equipped and protected while performing their duties in the field. While the bill was introduced and referred to a subcommittee, it did not advance further during the 108th Congress.