Since 1989, the National Association of Probation Executives (NAPE) and the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University have recognized the Probation Executive of the Year by presenting the recipient the Sam Houston State University Award. This year’s recipient was Troy Hatfield, Deputy Chief Probation Officer for the Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department in Bloomington, Indiana. This national
award was presented at the recent American Probation and Parole Association national conference in New York City where Hatfield served as a presenter for the Reducing Revocations Challenge project funded by Arnold Ventures.

Hatfield is now in his 26th year serving as an Indiana probation officer. He started his career as a juvenile probation officer in Owen County, Indiana. After coming to the Monroe Circuit Court Probation Department in 2004, he quickly moved to leadership and supervisory roles, being promoted to a Community Corrections Supervisor in 2006 and Deputy Chief Probation Officer in 2008.

Since becoming Deputy Chief, Hatfield has served on numerous statewide committees and boards, including the Probation Officers Advisory Board and the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana for which he currently serves as President. Monroe Circuit Court Chief Probation Officer Linda Brady who serves on the National Association of Probation Executives Board, nominated Hatfield for the award stating, “Troy’s service on both of these state-wide boards has been instrumental in making positive and progressive changes in the community supervision of offenders. His impact locally has been tremendous during his tenure. He provides strong leadership in this department has helped us move toward more effective use of evidence-based
practices.”

Nationally, Hatfield is a member of the American Probation and Parole Association.

Hatfield’s contributions to the field of probation have been recognized through two prestigious awards. He was awarded the Founder’s Award by the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana given to those who are dedicated to improving the field of probation. In May 2023, we was honored with the John Augustus Award given to one probation officer each year in the state of Indiana by the Probation Officers Advisory Board
to the Judicial Conference of Indiana.