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LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERNSHIP

NCJ Number
51088
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 37-38,40,42
Author(s)
J L SCHRINK; E W GROSSKOPF
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR BETTER TRAINED AND EDUCATED PERSONNEL IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DISCUSSED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION DIRECTED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERNSHIP.
Abstract
THERE IS CONSENSUS AMONG ALL PARTIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT A WELL-PLANNED AND CAREFULLY SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT IN THE SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC PREPARATION OF POTENTIAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL. IN SPITE OF GENERAL AGREEMENT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERNSHIP, THE AVERAGE INTERNSHIP IS NOT CAREFULLY PLANNED. POLICE OFFICERS USUALLY RESENT BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNS, AND THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF INFORMATION ON INTERNSHIPS IN THE PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE. THE OVERALL PURPOSE OF AN INTERNSHIP IS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY EXPERIMENTAL BACKGROUND SO THAT STUDENTS, AFTER GRADUATION, CAN PROCEED INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD WITH A SUFFICIENT BACKGROUND TO MINIMIZE JOB ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES REQUIRED OF HIRING AGENCIES. THE BASIC QUESTION FACING A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS WHETHER IT CONSIDERS ITSELF TO BE UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO TRAIN QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES; MOST AGENCIES ANSWER THIS QUESTION AFFIRMATIVELY. BENEFITS RESULTING FROM AN INTERNSHIP ARE FOURFOLD: (1) STUDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE THE SURVIVAL VALUE OF THEIR IDEAS IN A PRACTICAL SETTING AND TO SEE IF THEY REALLY WANT A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT; (2) AGENCIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UTILIZE FREE ASSISTANCE AND TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM OUTSIDE THEIR SCOPE OF OPERATION; (3) UNIVERSITIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW WELL STUDENTS CAN APPLY THEIR ACADEMICALLY LEARNED CONCEPTS; AND (4) OVERALL, TIES ARE STRENGTHENED BETWEEN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS OF AN INTERNSHIP ARE CONSIDERED IN DETAIL: PURPOSE, BENEFITS, PLACEMENT AGENCIES, AGENCY SUPERVISORS, INTERNS, DURATION OF INTERNSHIP, INSURANCE, WAIVERS, PRESCREENING, FINAL SELECTION, ORIENTATION, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, MEETINGS, STUDENT-UNIVERSITY CONTACTS, AGENCY-UNIVERSITY CONTACTS, FINANCES, GRADES, AND TERMINATION. (DEP)

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