Journal
Entry Format
CJ
375-50
CJ
375-01
Directions: Please type this assignment and use proper APA
format. Each section should be separated. Each journal entry, which may reflect
several hours, should be at least several pages in length. You will submit the
journal entries by email attachment to jkelly@monmouth.edu on
appropriate date as outlined in syllabus.
You will
develop the journal entries for this course using the following format.
Section 1: State
what happened during the time you were at the agency this should be at least
one page in length
Remember to
first, state the number of hours you have worked for this journal entry. Also, this
section should include a complete, detailed description of what specific
activities you carried out. What did you
see, hear, and do? Include time of day, place, and descriptions of what you
encountered. Be precise and full in your
description.
Section 2:
Describe how you felt during what occurred at the agency; one page in length
Directions:
Type this section in bold type so that I can determine your opinion from
the factual account of what occurred.
This section is
all about what you felt, thought, etc. whether you felt it was right or wrong
and what should have been done.
Section 3: Connect Sections 1 & 2 using information and concepts from your criminal justice classes and textbooks . Apply what you have learned at Monmouth to what is done in real life. This should be about a page long and typed in italic type so that I can tell the difference from the other 2 sections. Think about your criminal justice classes and readings/class notes to support your analysis. Also, think about how these experiences will impact you in the future. How will you take what you learned from this experience to a job in the future?
Example follows:
Journal Entry #2
by John Smith
Internship in CJ
CJ375-01
October 5, 2006
On October 5, 2006 I went to Headquarters of the State Police. My first day of my internship was absolutely amazing. I arrived at around 11:30am. The drive was very long and I was so nervous to see what I’d be doing and where.
I was buzzed in by the lady at the front desk and told to walk up to the Superintendent’s office by myself. I finally found my way to Captain Rosell’s office. Everyone was very nice and helpful and for the first hour or so I was just talking and meeting people.
We then went out to lunch and continued to talk about all the things that I would be doing over the course of my internship. I’m scheduled to go on a State Police boat ride along the Hudson River on October 12th, a possible helicopter ride, and certain exciting stuff like that.
After lunch we came back and Captain Rosell took me to the recruiting office where I filled out an application to be notified for the test to get into the academy that should be given in March. A lot of time was spent telling me about the process and they were very happy that I am set on applying for the academy. I think they were ever happier that I am an athletic girl who wants to become a State Police officer.
Captain Rosell showed me around some more but then took me back to the office to give me my first two assignments. The first assignment is making a power point presentation off of information on homeland security that he gave me and the second is a giant research paper on fusion centers.
The next week wasn’t as exciting as the first; I showed up very early at 7am and just worked on the two assignments given to me the pervious week.
Whenever I’m at the Superintendent’s
office I’m always secretly nervous because I haven’t met him yet. I really
like that I won’t be doing any paper
pushing or clerical work at all. They
treat me like one of their own and not the
new intern.
I
really like how he gave me an assignment to do his power point that he trusts
me with. He has to present it so I’ve
been trying to be really thorough and make it look good. The presentation is all about homeland
security, which is something I haven’t gotten the chance to learn about in any
of my classes at Monmouth so it’s a good introduction.
I’m
very excited about all the “field trips” they are taking me on. I’ve never been in a helicopter before, or in
a boat ride along the Hudson River.
Captain Rosell also mentioned a possible ride
along with one of the troopers but something happened where they are trying to
get it approved again. They also said
that they were going to schedule me to go to the shooting range!
One
thing I noticed when I was there is how friendly the environment was. They all seemed to have a lot of downtime,
talking and joking. I expected things to
be a lot busier in the Superintendent’s Office but I feel like when I’m there
it’s kind of an excuse to have fun.
Overall,
the work is interesting. I like learning
about fusion centers because it’s another thing I haven’t touched upon in any
of my classes. I also love that I’m
exactly in the middle of everything I want to do when I get graduate from
Monmouth.
As I said before, fusion centers and homeland security
are two subjects I have yet to learn about here at
Monmouth. I’ve actually never heard about a fusion
center in my life and felt kind of foolish when he first said it to
me. Homeland
security on the other hand is an ongoing public topic that anyone can know at
least something about
so I’m not so lost in that area.
This experience
in the Superintendent’s office is really valuable because it shows me the other
side of becoming a State Police officer.
I’ve been focusing a lot on just what it would take to get into the
academy that I tend to forget how many more options there are after you become
a State Police officer.
Captain
Rosell has such an important job and after seeing all
his degrees and awards on his wall, it really showed me how hardworking you
need to be in the State Police. In the
future hopefully the knowledge I am gaining from the research I am doing now
will help me a lot when I get started.
From
what I know, fusion centers are an up and coming thing. I don’t think that New Jersey has one and
only a few places do. But I think that
they are looking to create one of their own fusion centers and it’s rewarding
to be a part of the beginning stages.