2016 recipient of the Audrey J. Harris Summer Internship Award
Interned with the Madison Police Department
Majors: Legal Studies and Political Science with a Certificate in Criminal Justice
Goals: Join the United Nations Police and study International Law
This summer I had the privilege of interning with the Madison Police Department (MPD). The opportunity allowed me to further my scholarly endeavors and inquiries in the Criminal Justice field. As an intern at the Central District I experienced a wide variety of aspects in the policing world. I worked with the Gang Unit on round ups and gathering intelligence. I went on drug raids with Taskforce and search warrants with SWAT. During my ride-alongs with the Community Policing Team (CPT) and Neighborhood Resource Officer (NRO) I gained insightful experience by interviewing troubled individuals. I assisted the Community Outreach Education Resource (CORE) team by connecting with local kids through MSCR programs. I attended BID and Street Use meetings while working on projects for events such as Shake the Lake. The internship provided me with a multitude of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Assisting the CORE and CPT teams taught me the importance of community partnership in law enforcement. I learned that building a working relationship with the community is essential for effective policing. Reaching out to the community reduces the detrimental effect of environmental determinism for delinquents, and fosters a sense of trust. The internship at the Central District exposed me to the political realm of policing. During protests I learned how to professionally engage with persons who hold a wide array of opinions and beliefs. The broad range of policing experiences, coupled with my volunteering activities at Madison Urban Ministry Circles of Support, vastly expanded my cultural competency.
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to the Audrey J. Harris family for this wonderful opportunity. During my internship I could fully internalize every experience without any financial burden. The Audrey J. Harris family’s altruistic investment has furthered my interest in policing and law. With my newfound knowledge I hope to make substantial contributions to the field of international policing.