Probation Officer Waited Out Her 'Dream Job'

Probation Officer Natalie Bobbitt holds her San Diego Crime Stoppers Enough is Enough Award.Deputy Probation Officer Natalie Bobbitt usually dresses in T-shirts, jeans and sneakers. She pulls her long hair off her face in a ponytail and wears little to no make-up. As one of only two women on the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force, a multi-agency team of investigators led by the U.S. Marshals Service, her work often involves surveillance of a felony fugitive. She calls her large vehicle her “office.” 

Recently, Bobbitt, who has worked for Probation for 10 years, received a San Diego County Crime Stoppers Enough is Enough Award, which honors nominees from throughout the San Diego law enforcement community for extraordinary accomplishments. Bobbitt was one of 19 honorees recognized at a ceremony last month. Crime Stoppers chose her for her overall outstanding work last year. 

“She’s an extremely hardworking, independent officer,” said Supervising Probation Officer Kendall Amerige. “On a consistent basis, she goes above and beyond the call of duty and takes a lot of pride in her work. She’s very well-respected.” 

So, what is the nature of her work exactly and what does it take to be on a regional fugitive task force? The task force goal is to safely apprehend high-priority, high-risk suspects wanted for violent crimes and narcotic offenses. 

While Probation has sharply increased its focus on rehabilitation of offenders, enforcement is still necessary and inevitable at times. Working with these fugitives often involves a more targeted approach.  

“You have to be kind of fearless and willing to take risks. If you have any hesitations or reservations, it is absolutely going to eat you alive at the door to a house (where you’re serving an arrest warrant),” said Bobbitt, speaking of her current assignment on the Fugitive Task Force.

In high school and college, Bobbitt thought she wanted to be a social worker. But after an internship in that field, she decided she wanted to work in law enforcement. 

She started working at one of Probation’s juvenile detention facilities in 2007, then shifted to the Mid-City area to do juvenile case work for a few years. From there, she worked as part of the Youthful Offender Unit, intensively supervising youth with more serious offenses to help them turn around their lives and avoid a commitment to the state Division of Juvenile Justice.

She next worked in the juvenile investigation unit, interviewing youth before their sentencing to try to make recommendations to a judge with regard to their potential for rehabilitation. Then she went to the adult gang supervision unit, where she enjoyed being on the streets working closely with the Escondido Police Gang Suppression Unit.

Her dream job was always to work on a task force, but she said many of the people in those positions love what they do and only leave when they retire. She said she considered the teams elite and was thrilled when she finally got her chance.

“When I know there’s a gun involved or a current victim, I think those are the cases that drive me the most,” Bobbitt said. “Because at the end of the day, I know I got a gun off the street or that victim is not going to have to deal with this perpetrator.”

Her dream job was always to work on a task force, but she said many of the people in those positions love what they do and only leave when they retire. She said she considered the teams elite and was thrilled when she finally got her chance.

“When I know there’s a gun involved or a current victim, I think those are the cases that drive me the most,” Bobbitt said. “Because at the end of the day, I know I got a gun off the street or that victim is not going to have to deal with this perpetrator.”

Her dream job was always to work on a task force, but she said many of the people in those positions love what they do and only leave when they retire. She said she considered the teams elite and was thrilled when she finally got her chance.

“When I know there’s a gun involved or a current victim, I think those are the cases that drive me the most,” Bobbitt said. “Because at the end of the day, I know I got a gun off the street or that victim is not going to have to deal with this perpetrator.”

Probation Officer Natalie Bobbitt digging in a suspect's yard after getting information that he may have buried drugs or weapons in the back of the home. She ultimately found heroin, a gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.The team treats warrants delicately, because in some cases they might try to flee the country.

“You might only get one opportunity to try to arrest this person,” Bobbitt said.

Even if they have some potential addresses for where the suspect may be holed up, the team can’t just go knock on the doors. Because if the suspect is not there, they will find out officers have been there and will not return. The action may push him or her into further hiding, she said.

“One of the things that is huge in this business is the element of surprise,” Bobbitt said. “That’s what we bank on when it comes to arresting fugitives. It allows us to take people into custody with as little resistance as possible.”

Bobbitt said she is proud of the skills that she brings to the job. She’s good at multitasking and doing mobile surveillance. She’s determined and persistent. And she’s confident in her physical abilities.

Bobbitt said she has a nurturing nature, which comes in handy after the suspect is handcuffed and she is taking him or her to jail. In some cases, she helps calm them down and offer guidance on what they will face.

“I love being able to do what I do on a daily basis,” said Bobbitt. “This job is the most humbling thing I’ve ever done in my life because every day I learn something new, a new tactic, a new approach. You see something new every single day. I love it.”