41-5-1702. Qualifications of probation officers. (1) Any person appointed as a chief probation officer must have the following qualifications:
     (a) a master's degree in the behavioral sciences;
     (b) a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the behavioral sciences and at least 1 year's experience in work of a nature related to the duties of a probation officer as set forth in 41-5-1703; or
     (c) a bachelor's degree in any field and at least 3 years' experience in work related to the duties of a probation officer as set forth in 41-5-1703.
     (2) The judge may appoint any reputable person as a probation officer who has had experience in work of a nature related to the duties of a chief probation officer, provided preference must be given to persons with the qualifications set forth in subsection (1).
     (3) Each person appointed as a chief probation officer or probation officer under this section or as a deputy probation officer under 41-5-1705 must obtain 16 hours a year of training in subjects relating to the powers and duties of probation officers in a program or course conducted by the department of justice or approved by the board of crime control under 41-5-1706.

     History: En. 10-1234 by Sec. 34, Ch. 329, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 530, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 10-1234(2); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 544, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 205, L. 1995; Sec. 41-5-702, MCA 1995; redes. 41-5-1702 by Sec. 47, Ch. 286, L. 1997.