Probation Officer’s Unique Perspective Rewarded

Probation Officer Michael Anderson (center) was honored with a Blue Knight Award by San Diego County Crime Commission Chairman Jim Hill and Deputy Chief Probation Officer Kim Allen.Undercover investigations and tracking bad guys for months are some of the perks of his job. Probation Officer Mike Anderson plays a unique role on the East County Regional Gang Task Force, one that earned him the Blue Knight Award for excellence and bravery from the San Diego Crime Commission.

Anderson is the only probation officer on the task force. It was formed in 2006 to help fight a growing trend of gang-related crimes and drug trafficking in East and South counties. He has been on the team since it started and works with sheriff and police detectives, as well as FBI and state agents. He gets to do things he ordinarily wouldn’t do if he was solely doing probation work.

“It’s really interesting. I’ve learned a ton of stuff working with local officers and the FBI,” said Anderson. “And I’m cross-sworn. I have a security clearance with the FBI and Sheriff.”

Anderson, 46, said he was surprised and honored to get the award, but he truly considers it recognition for the whole task force since they work as a team and any success is shared.

“The task force is busier now than ever,” Anderson said. “We definitely have a better handle on (drug and gang) crime now.”

The team’s investigations are uncovering a wider range of crimes that go beyond the local level, he said.
The task force checks up on gang activity and gang member probationers to make sure they are in compliance with the terms of their release. It is dangerous work. He has to be acutely aware of officer safety issues at all times, something he was reminded of in September when his unit was asked to assist after two sheriff’s deputies were wounded while trying to arrest a suspected child molester in Santee His team helped investigate the shooting after the deputies were rescued and the suspect was taken into custody.

Another skill he’s honed on the job is detecting lies.

“You can really get to see how a criminal mind works,” Anderson said.

He said he often gets to know criminals without their knowledge by studying their routines and interactions with people for up to a year. So, when he finally does talk to them for the investigation, it is usually apparent to him when those suspects aren’t being truthful.

He has been a probation officer for 22 years and is often a team leader on special operations. He is also often asked to assist other law enforcement teams.