Press Release  Suffolk County Probate & Family Court Swears In Nine Probation Employees

Massachusetts — Nine Suffolk County Probate & Family Court Probation employees were sworn in before an audience of family, friends, and colleagues during a ceremony at the Edward Brooke Courthouse this afternoon.

First Justice Joan Armstrong presided over the ceremony and Suffolk Probate & Family Chief Probation Officer Marguerite Riley hosted the official yet festive event where the employees read an oath and received plaques. Probation Commissioner Edward J. Dolan, First Deputy Commissioner Lydia Todd, and Chief Justice Angela Ordonez were in attendance.

The seven Probate & Family Probation Officers who were sworn in include Melinda Barnes, Krystyna Gagne-Collopy, Jessica Grassia, Kelly Imbriano, Jillian Lanney, Crystal Monteiro, and Arron Pridgeon. The two Assistant Chief Probation Officers who were also sworn in were Eric Gable and Valerie Taylor. Suffolk P& F Probation Department includes nine Probation Officers, two Assistant Chief Probation Officers, and four clerical employees.

“This is an exciting and proud day. These Probation Officers and Assistant Chiefs have a bright, bright future and will have a huge impact on children and families in Suffolk County,” said Chief Riley.

“I was extremely pleased to swear in the new staff at Suffolk Probate & Family Court. Probate & Family Court Probation Officers play a very important role in the lives of families. Our staff is very committed,” said Judge Armstrong.

Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan said of the newly-appointed employees, “These newly-appointed Probation Officers and Assistant Chiefs are an important part of our agency. They bring to their positions the excitement, creativity, and expertise to work with families and children during a crucial time in their lives.”

Probate & Family Court Probation Officers work with families to resolve matters involving child custody, divorce, separation and guardianship cases. Probate & Family Probation Officers have also taken on a new charge to get fathers more actively involved with their children's lives which national studies show leads to a reduction in family conflict and a decrease in recidivism or committing new crimes.

Probate & Family Court cases have been found to have a direct connection to each of the Trial Court system’s court divisions—District, Juvenile, Superior, and the Boston Municipal Courts. Over the past year, Probate and Family Court Probation Officers through the Dispute Intervention process have helped litigants reach a resolution in more than 60 percent of contested cases involving child custody, divorce, separation, and guardianship issues.

Probate & Family Court Probation Officers work with families to resolve matters involving child custody, divorce, separation and guardianship cases. Probate & Family Probation Officers have also taken on a new charge to get fathers more actively involved with their children's lives which national studies show leads to a reduction in family conflict and a decrease in recidivism or committing new crimes.

Over the past year, Probate and Family Court Probation Officers through the Dispute Intervention process have helped litigants reach a resolution in more than 60 percent of contested cases involving child custody, divorce, separation, and guardianship issues.

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