ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — Probation officers in Tompkins County can be armed.

Legislators voted nine to four on Tuesday in favor of a resolution that allows the department to pursue the certification, training, and supply of guns to probation officers working with people convicted of gun crimes.

Probation Director Dan Cornell told legislators, “We have a duty and a responsibility to our community to fulfill that public safety role (of searches) and enforce the probation conditions (of clients).”

It’ll likely take 10-14 months for New York State to certify the Tompkins County Probation Department to carry a gun.