Applicable Administrative Policies

Field Activity Policy

Work Hours Policy

Staff Meeting Policy

Staff Development

Operations Development

Annual Report

Treatment of Elders Under Supervision

Pepper Spray Policy

for use as of 5/26/09: Tuba City Tribal Vehicle Use Policy, Probation Services and Peacemaking

The following rules, policies and procedures apply to all personnel in Navajo Nation Probation and Parole Services.  They are set forth in alphabetical order:

• Fleet Management Tribal Vehicle Operator’s Handbook

• Judicial Branch Administrative Leave Policy, effective Feb 14, 2008;

• Judicial Branch Case Management Policy, effective August 18, 1999;

• Judicial Branch Consolidation Policy, effective September 10, 1997 (waived in the Pilot Project);

• Judicial Branch Court Automation Policy, effective October 10, 1996;

• Judicial Branch Employee Code of Conduct, effective April 29, 1991;

• Judicial Branch Grievance Board, Rules of Procedure, revised January 6, 1997;

• Judicial Branch Personnel Rules, revised June 20, 1997;

• Judicial Branch Training Policy, effective March 20, 1997;

• Navajo Nation Privacy Act, 2 N.N.C. §§81-92;

• Navajo Nation Travel Policy;

• Probation and Parole Services Standard Operating Procedures, as updated and revised;

• Other policies of general application to Navajo Nation employees.

Field Activity Policy

PPOs may spend much of their time meeting with adult clients, juvenile clients, parents, school authorities, social services and behavioral health staff; attending chapter or other meetings at night or on weekends.  Because neighborhoods on the Navajo Nation are largely rural and far-between, frequent travel and field work is expected. 

1. PPOs shall log out for field activity.  The log shall contain a description and location of the field activity, and beginning and expected end time for the field activity (excluding travel). 

2. PPOs shall log in when field activity is completed and indicate in the log the persons contacted.

3. The log shall be maintained by the Office Technician.

4. Field activity travel shall be pursuant to the Navajo Nation Travel Policy.

Work Hours Policy

1. Regular office/work hours apply with some flexibility as set forth below. 

2. The PPO is permitted to be absent from the district office for properly logged field work.

3. If not otherwise scheduled to appear in court or meet with clients, the PPO may report for work an hour later than normal if he/she was not able to complete field work before 7:00 p.m. the previous evening.  The PPO must (a) call in and leave a message for the Office Technician the night before; and (b) otherwise, be reachable during that hour via phone.  

4. The PPO shall update the field work log immediately upon reporting to work. 

Staff Meeting Policy

PPS staff meetings may be called by the Chief Justice and Chief Probation Officer.  District-level meetings may be called by the Court Administrator.  In the Pilot Project, district level meetings may also be called by the Senior District Probation Officer.

Regular meetings are as follows: 

1. Quarterly Meetings – called by the Chief Probation Officer and held in the first week of every third month with one week’s advance notice by written memorandum.  These meetings shall include an overview of the previous quarter, verbal district status reports, discussion of policy/program changes and directives and any other item that facilitates operations.  Once a year, a quarterly meeting shall address review of the Standard Operating Procedures and generally, review of PPS operations.  Minutes shall be kept.  Abstract minutes may be distributed.  Meeting is mandatory. 
2. Monthly District-Level Meetings – scheduled by the Office Technician and attended by district PPS staff to monitor and evaluate district level PPS activities and address immediate needs.  Judges, CA, the Peacemaker Liaison, and the Chief Probation Officer may be invited to attend. 
3. Pilot Project Planning and Coordination Meetings – may be scheduled weekly, biweekly, or otherwise according to the Pilot Project’s current revised plan.

Staff Development 

In coordination with PPS field offices, the Chief Probation Officer shall provide the leadership to identify staff development needs, identify and secure staff development opportunities, and promote and support the continuous professional growth of PPS personnel. 

Operations Development

By the delegated authority of the Chief Justice, the Chief Probation Officer shall develop and implement the Standard Operating Procedures.  All PPS personnel are encouraged to participate actively in its development and review.  There shall be annual review of operations, generally.

Annual Report

The Chief Probation Officer shall submit an annual report to the Chief Justice on PPS operations.  The annual report shall contain data on sentencing options being recommended by Navajo Nation Probation and Parole Services in all districts.

Treatment of Elders Under Supervision

An elder is any person 55 years of age and over. Elder Navajos are required by law to be distinctly treated with respect.  The treatment of elders under PPS supervision shall be no different. 

9 N.N.C. § 1802 provides:

It is the policy of the Navajo Nation to continue the traditional respect which members of the Navajo Nation have for Diné elders.  Elders are valuable resources to the Nation because they are repositories and custodians of Navajo history, culture, language, and tradition; vested in Diné elders is the hope of the Navajo Nation to retain its tribal history, culture, language and tradition.

Pepper Spray Policy

Subject to defensive training and certification of proper use as arranged with the Navajo Nation Police Academy by the Chief Probation Officer, PPOs may carry pepper spray (oleoresin capsicum).  The pepper spray can be used only while on-duty and only for self-defense, following which the PPO is required to file a police report.  Non-violent alternatives, including withdrawal from the aggressor, shall be considered before use.  The pepper spray canister is to be concealed and not drawn or displayed unless there is a reasonable belief of a threat of immediate injury.  When not carried, the canister must be securely stored away from children and unauthorized persons. 

Look to the wellbeing of any person on which you have used this spray as follows:

1. After you have ensured you are safe, contact medical personnel.

2. Make sure the person has fresh air.  If the person displays any breathing problems or has a history of breathing/heart problems, notify medical personnel immediately.

3. Instruct the person to remove contact lenses, if any.

4. Reassure the person the pepper spray effects are temporary.  

5. Flush the person’s face with cool water or apply a wet towel to hasten recovery.

6. Advise the person he/she may be charged with assault.

7. Immediately contact the Chief Probation Officer and submit a written report within 24 hours.

8. If the person is also a PPS client, file it as an incident in the clients’ progress report.