The nature of probation and the role of the probation officer are the subjects of much debate. As the probation population swells, it becomes necessary to examine these philosophical questions with a focus on the role of multiculturalism within the criminal justice system. The author presents a historical analysis of the role of probation beginning with the inception of probation in the 1800’s, when probation was considered a form of offender treatment. A review of the current research literature in criminology and criminal justice is offered to illustrate that, according to empirical evidence, offenders can be rehabilitated. As such, the question turns back to the role of probation as the population of offenders sentenced to community supervision continues to swell. A look at the probation population reveals great diversity; as such, developing multicultural competencies among probation officers should be seriously considered. In order to establish a trusting relationship with offenders, probation officers must come to the table equipped with cultural knowledge relating to the offenders under their charge. Studies on cross-cultural relations and on the effectiveness of multicultural training are reviewed before the author moves on to a discussion of how to assess the knowledge, awareness, or skills of probation officers in the area of multicultural awareness. Within the field of criminal justice and probation, very little attention has been given to the issue of multiculturalism, although with the demographic changes in society and the swelling and increasingly diverse probation population, it is time the criminal justice system, and the probation system in particular, began incorporating a multicultural view in order to continue effectively serving the safety needs of society and the rehabilitative needs of offenders. Several issues and challenges for the probation profession in this regard are enumerated. References