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Bessemer Field Officers, Staff Successful at Challenging Location

By Matthew Estes, Communications Director

BESSEMER, Ala – On Wednesday, June 29, I visited the Bessemer Field Office in Jefferson County. Located in downtown Bessemer at 1812 Fifth Avenue North, this midsized field office serves the probation and parole needs of southwestern Jefferson County.

Officer-in-Charge Sidney Yarbrough gave me a tour of the location, where I met the 12 officers, specialists and support staff serving the field office. I was immediately impressed with the comradery among the group, with staff members routinely bantering, sharing experiences, and assisting with needed tasks. This is a close-knit group, with employees going above and beyond to lend a helping hand. Officer Yarbrough said the staff enjoys having cookouts, birthday celebrations and other events to keep in good spirit.

“Everyone gets along great,” said Yarbrough. “We look at each other as family, not just coworkers.”

Officers and staff performed their duties with professionalism. I watched an officer meet with a client, where he presented information and expectations clearly. Additionally, the office is well-equipped, with room for staff to perform duties, conduct needed training, and work with probationers and parolees.

District 2C Manager Kristi Smith said, “I am proud to have the Bessemer Field Office in my district. Any time I call on them for extra duties or to take care of a task, they do it. Every single person in the office brings good to the community they serve. The staff in Bessemer always works together and has each other’s back. The comradery is strong and it shows.”

Due to the above average crime rates in Bessemer, the probation and parole officers often assist local law enforcement agencies when needed. As part of the Bureau mission to assist other law enforcement agencies, there are situations when ABPP officers may be the closest to reported activity. Bureau officers can then help keep a situation under control until backup can arrive from other Bessemer or Birmingham authorities.

Jefferson County is the largest in Alabama, so the Bessemer field office must frequently coordinate with the Birmingham Field Office to determine the needed actions to serve probationer and parolee needs. Additionally, the Bessemer Field Office maintains a good relationship with local courts, police departments and the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Department.

The Bureau has 62 field offices, serving all Alabama counties. Field offices function as a local base of operations for Probation and Parole Officers, specialists and other support staff. Officers are required to make various contacts with probationers and parolees based on their risk level. These contacts range from a monthly office visit for lower risk individuals to weekly office, home, employment and curfew checks for higher risk individuals. In addition, officers are tasked with various types of investigations requested by the Bureau or courts, as well as assisting other law enforcement agencies when needed.

Front Row (from left): District 2C Manager Kristi Smith, Officer-in-Charge Cortney Swain, Specialist Senior Kayla Heilman, Officer Deonte’ Hill, Specialist Kimberly Quartel, Administrative Support Assistant III Joyce Cleveland
Back row: Officer Jeremy Cade, Officer George Brown, Officer Brittany Tarrant, Officer Erica White, Officer-in-Charge Sidney Yarbrough, Officer Steven Motley, Jr.

Officer Deonte’ Hill speaking to a probationer or parolee.

Officer Jeremy Cade working in his office.

Bessemer Field Office exterior.

Bessemer Field Office interior.

Bessemer Field Office interior.