Internships in Criminal Justice: An Essential Part of Education - Essay Sample

Introduction

An internship is an essential part of education in the field of criminal justice (Greene, 1979; Meier, 1989; Ross & Elechi, 2002). It provides criminal justice students with an opportunity to a beneficiary and orderly transition from classroom learning to the real-world experience of criminal justice (Ross & Elechi, 2002). No class can adequately prepare a student for expertise in criminal justice hence the need for field experience. The internship and field experience deepens the understanding and knowledge of the complexities in the criminal justice system. It helps in applying skills and knowledge learned in class, exploring different responsibilities and roles within criminal justice, developing a professional relationship with personnel in criminal justice, meeting graduation requirement and finally aiding in procuring professional recommendation for future employment (Ross & Elechi, 2002).

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An internship is designed to equip students with practical experience and a chance to incorporate their classroom knowledge, skills, and professional values, thereby relating experience and program objectives and goals directly (Hoey, 2018). In police internships, a student is provided with role experience that matches those of an entry-level corrections or law enforcement professional. Faculty internship supervisor and agency supervisor have direct responsibility for evaluating student's performance.

My Intern Experience

For my internship, I had an opportunity to work with the San Diego Police Department. During the entire internship period, we were required to submit weekly activity reports. The reports were submitted first to the Agency coordinator then to the internship coordinator summarizing daily activities for each week. These reports were required to give correct accounts of the types of activities I participated in or observed.

During the week I was required to make notes of my feelings, questions, thoughts, and observations and hand in a typed weekly report at the end every five working days to the agency coordinator for approval before being forwarded to the university internship coordinator. Also, the agency coordinator was allowed to submit my report through his professional email address to the university internship coordinator. Each report contained my name, agency name, mobile number, the name of the Agency Coordinator, his address, and phone number. Also, the report provided the number of working hours for the week.

At San Diego Police Department, all students in internships were required to adhere to guidelines of responsible and ethical conduct. The guidelines were meant to protect us from those we interacted with, including instructors, supervisors, placement agencies, and the university. Some of the guidelines and principles were as discussed below.

Confidentiality

Any information and the identity of persons collected by the interns were not to be revealed without specific permission from the field placement agencies and those persons. Exceptions were provided only in cases where the law permits such information or the identity to be disclosed. We were required to familiarize ourselves and adhere to confidentiality procedures in the police department and state laws. Besides, we were not allowed to share any official information to persons not affiliated with the department or training agency. Moreover, it was unethical to criticize individuals in the department.

Recognition of Qualifications and Limitations

We were required to recognize our limitations based on our training and abilities. We were not expected to exceed these limits while working. When faced with circumstances that were beyond our knowledge, we were required to seek assistance from our instructors and supervisors. After duty hours or while on duty, we were not allowed to carry out separate investigations of any official matter unless granted permission by the agency supervisor.

Identification as Interns

Whether in reports or other professional activities, we were required to identify ourselves as interns to persons we came in contact with. We were not allowed to misrepresent status, qualifications, and training. Although we were allowed to interact with officers in different divisions, we were reminded to stick to our objectives in the whole exercise.

Record Keeping

We were expected to work as interested observers, and as such, we were required by the agency coordinator and supervisors to accurately and reliably maintain written reports. The reports were not only meant to be sent to the university, but also it was possible for us to subpoenaed to testify for our actions and observations.

Dual Relationships and Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries

We were required to refrain from clinical work with individuals with whom we had a personal relationship outside the workplace as it would affect our effectiveness. We were required to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with our seniors. Besides we were prohibited from engaging in a sexual or romantic relationship with anyone directly or indirectly participating in the internship. Also, cases or sexual harassment were not condoned. We were required to respect the sensitivity of others concerning sexual matters.

Self-Awareness and Monitoring

Whether on duty or off duty, we were expected to monitor our physical and emotional status and aware of any push buttons that might adversely affect our ability to work. When triggered or affected while on or off duty, we were expected to write down such triggers and seek assistance from our agency supervisors. The information about our emotional status helped in mood management training, which was headed by the correctional psychologist at the facility.

Personal Conduct and Appearance

We were expected to maintain professional conduct and appearance throughout our internship. We were encouraged to use appropriate language, dress according to agency standards, and adhere to ethical behavior. At no time in the line of duty, were we expected to use informal language.

Personal Integrity

At all times, we were expected to be truthful and honest. We were required to make impartial and just decisions regardless of personal benefit. Besides, upholding moral and ethical conduct was the basis of just and unbiased decisions. Both on and off duty, we were expected to ensure personal and professional excellence, and as such, we were expected to be disciplined, honest, respectful of the law and other people and dedicated to serving San Diego Police and the constituents.

Firearms

During the internship, carrying of firearms either in person, vehicle or in our luggage was not allowed unless we received written permission from the Agency Supervisor at San Diego Police Department and the university internship supervisor. The rule included interns with a valid permit to carry firearms. A firearm in this context meant any revolver, handcuffs, chemical weapons, blackjack or pistol.

Alcohol

All laws regarding furnishing and the use of alcohol were followed, and failure to do so resulted in expulsion from the internship. While on duty, drinking was prohibited. While off duty, responsible drinking was recommended as the agency feared excessive drinking would result in embarrassment to the agency, university, and the student. Besides, any underage drinking resulted in automatic dismissal from the internship.

Automobiles

This is one guideline that I was familiar with even before I started my internship. I always had an interest in riding police cars. Under this provision, in the event a supervising agency needed an intern to operate a police car, such an intern was required to seek written permission from the internship coordinator at the university. Besides, when driving, we were expected to obey all traffic ordinances. In case of any violation of traffic laws, the university and the agency coordinators were notified.

Meeting the requirement of the weekly activity reports and adhering to the above guidelines was not a problem for me since I had always had an interest in law enforcement. I always thought an internship would give me an opportunity to interact with the real world.

During my internship, I was tasked with many responsibilities, including taking care of the seized property, preparing and issuing warrants, trolling orders and petitions, observing court cases, helping to find fugitives. I had a chance on multiple times to go out on patrols with some of the deputies in the department. I also participated in different types of training in the division. What I learned from these real-world experiences was useful as it complemented what I have been learning in class.

During some special patrols, we were equipped with a Kevlar vest, pepper spray, baton, among other things. In these operations, I had a chance to pull over in a police vehicle, clear houses when looking for theft or gang suspects, arrest offenders for different types of offenses, write criminal and civil citations. Also, I helped in preparing statements of charges and probable cause. I went through probation conditions and collected information from new probationers after the judges imposed their sentence.

In the office, I answered and made calls. I received emergency calls relating to theft, accidents, homicide cases, among others. Besides, I rang probationers reminding them of their next report dates or in the event they missed an appointment.

Through these experiences, I developed independence, equipped with record keeping skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, punctuality, and general competence in the real-life working environment. After completing the internship, I look back and realize that it was the most valuable experience. I not only gained work experience and connections but also understood the importance of effective leadership.

I must admit it was fun meaning something to other people's lives. Being called to something, showing up and then trying to piece things together trying to figure what happened in a given reported incident. I realized through such process patience is vital in policing, and the use of senses (smell, touch, sight) can be fundamental in solving a puzzle in a crime. The experience also highlighted the importance of mastering policies learned in class since when it comes to real-life problem solving, especially in emergency cases, there is no time to refer to textbooks.

I can summarize the lessons I learned throughout my internship in the following points.

Speak Up Your Mind

Many times during my first week, I would sit at my desk with endless questions about what I should be doing. I was too afraid to bother anyone or walk around. I was completely paralyzed in my chair. Little did I know I was sitting on my fun. Luckily for me, another intern joined me in the police department. He was fearless as this was his second internship. He helped me gather some courage in facing my seniors. I learned that when I needed help, I should seek one because any clarification counts in the justice system. If you have any doubts concerning the set-out plan in operation, it is important that you speak out your mind so that your thoughts can be weighed, instead of keeping quiet only to regret after the plan fails. Talk to coworkers as they have a lot of experience in that particular field. Although what is required of you is clearly stated when joining the department, asking questions those who have been can help you adapt quickly.

Trust Your Instincts

There were situations during our operations when instincts were the only link missing in unfolding the puzzle at hand. Sometimes the offenders were too canning that it was difficult to tell if they were telling the truth or lying when doing everything by the book. It was easy to let an offender go unpunis...