What is the primary responsibility of a probation officer?

The primary responsibility of a probation officer is indeed supervising offenders placed on probation. This role involves monitoring individuals who have been sentenced to probation as an alternative to incarceration, ensuring they comply with the conditions set by the court. Probation officers help guide these individuals toward rehabilitation and reintegration into society, which may include regular check-ins, drug testing, and providing access to community resources such as counseling or employment opportunities. This supervision is crucial to reducing recidivism rates and assisting offenders in making positive life choices.

The other options, while they may involve aspects of the justice system, do not reflect the core duties of a probation officer. Making arrests pertains to law enforcement, conducting trials relates to the judicial process, and enforcing traffic laws falls under the purview of traffic officers or law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining road safety. Each of these functions serves a different purpose and is carried out by different professionals within the criminal justice system.