The dichotomy between surveillance or helping functions is at the center of the debate over the proper role of the probation officer. Recent writers have emphasized the surveillance role, noting that probation officers are responsible for monitoring the offender's compliance with the conditions of release. The probation process needs to change, however, for the probation officer to meet the requirements of the surveillance role. The conditions of release should be more specific and should fit the individual case wherever possible. The conditions should result from consultation among the client, the officer, the judge, and even the victim. To facilitate the probation officer's helping role, probation departments need to contract for community services to assure the quality of service provided by social service agencies to probationers. Additional aids to probation officers are such guidelines as the Federal Probation System's Supervision Monograph scheduled for release in 1982 and the supervision model developed in California. Other aids are the development of modes of supervision for low-risk probationers and the development of criteria for identifying clients who need special attention. Twenty-one references are listed.