2019 Line Probation Officer of the Year: Lindsay Long
On Thursday, September 5, 2019 at the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana (POPAI) annual fall conference, Lindsay Long, a probation officer with Miami County Probation, was presented the Line Probation Officer of the Year Award.
The Line Probation Officer of the Year Award was established in 2014 to recognize line probation officers who have performed their duties in an outstanding manner and/or made significant contributions to the field of probation at the local, regional or national level. The recipient may also have brought credit or honor to the profession of probation through participation or involvement in community activities or programs. This recognition is awarded to probation officers who are involved in the direct supervision of criminal defendants/juvenile offenders and/or other line probation officer duties such as conducting Presentence Investigations, Preliminary Inquiries, and Pre-dispositional Investigations.
Lindsay has been a probation officer since September 2009. Her Chief Probation Officer, Susan Rice, states “when needed, Lindsay is always willing to step up and go the extra mile. She quietly volunteers to help out when the department is short staffed and takes on additional duties without being asked.”
Judge Daniel C. Banina of the Miami Superior Court #2 states that Lindsay “is extremely mindful of her responsibilities and frequently goes beyond expectations. In dealing with her clients, she provides a good balance between aspects of rehabilitation and accountability. She is the kind of employee that needs little guidance and can be counted on to get her job done. She is a credit to her profession.”
Susan Rice goes on to state that Lindsay’s “significant contribution to probation comes as a result of her unique ability to provide the kind of supervision her clients need in order to help them realize success. She makes a difference by truly caring about what happens to her clients.”
Susan concluded by saying she could praise Lindsay’s accomplishments all day long but believes statements from Lindsay’s clients are much more telling of her character and commitment to probation. Some of the comments obtained from exit interviews include:
- “Lindsay Long needs recognized for all of her hard work, not to mention how understanding she is. I never thought about my P.O. being normal, but she opened my eyes by not judging.”
- “I would just like to thank Lindsay Long for being so wonderful through all of this. She was patient and understanding and I felt lucky to have her helping me.”
- “Lindsay Long is amazing and has been a BLESSING.”
- “Lindsay was great and was supportive of the things that I was changing in my life.”
- “Lindsay is a great PO. She was very helpful and cares about her people.”
- “Thank you Lindsay. It makes such a difference when you have someone who genuinely cares and believes in you.”