The ACLU Opposes H.R. 1039, the Probation Officer Protection Act of 2017

The ACLU opposes the Probation Officer Protection Act because it is a solution in search of a problem as there is no statistical or other evidence to support the need to expand probation officers’ arrest authority. In addition, POPA creates safety concerns for third parties who may be subjected to arrest; raises serious Fourth Amendment questions; and undermines efforts of family members to help people transition back to their communities after being incarcerated.