Student Assan Touray takes on an internship with campus police. Photo Contributed by Assan Touray.
It was all law and order this summer for senior Assan Touray while he interned with the University of Rhode Island Police Department.
Touray, a criminal justice major, said he was especially excited when he first heard about the internship from Paul Hanrahan, a University police officer and community policing specialist, because it would allow him to figure out what job within the criminal justice system he should go into after his graduation in December.
“I wanted to see if I wanted to go into law enforcement, and to see what I can do to give back to the community,” Touray said, “[I want to] encourage more diversity.”
Throughout the three-month internship, which spanned from June until August, Touray had the opportunity to go on ride-alongs and train with the department’s K-9 unit, all while earning credits towards his major.
“One of the fun things that I was able to do was work with public safety,” Touray said. “I helped them check out the blue lights throughout the summer. That was my little project.”
Touray also said he had the opportunity to go out into the community and interact with students, parents and faculty on the URI campus.
“I was able to talk to the students that were coming in for orientation every [week],” he said. “[Students] would speak to the officers and I got to tell them my experiences as a student and give them advice. So, that was really interesting.”
The experience overall was very fulfilling, according to Touray, who said he now knows what career path he would like after graduation.
“It influenced me to keep going with my career path and stick with my original goal,” Touray said. “I will try to work locally first, and then try to make my way up. But, I am mostly interested in the community police aspect of it.”
Having the opportunity to explore the many aspects of the criminal justice system during his internship further motivated Touray and reminded him of why he chose to pursue the criminal justice major when he got to URI.
“I chose criminal justice because in high school I took a law and society class so I looked into similar classes at URI and I just fell in love with the major,” Touray said. “The criminal justice system has so many aspects and so many different career paths in it that it’s not just being a law enforcement officer. You can influence a kid’s life through your interactions with them, you can change other people’s behaviors, and that’s what I like about this career.”
Touray said he is happy with everything that the URI Police Department is doing to improve the University.
“I feel like they are doing a great job,” he said. “They are really implementing community police in, which is the next big thing. [The police department] is really big on giving back to the community and finding ways to connect with [the campus] and build a bond and connection together.”
According to URI Police Department Major Michael Jagoda, the internship is offered every summer and students can apply on the URI Police Department website.
“I would recommend [the internship] because it really teaches you a lot about time management and your character,” Touray said. “You learn about the daily work of a police officer. What you think going in and what you get out of it is a totally different experience.”
Jagoda said the internship is a great way to get students involved and ready for the workforce and physical and oral exams when they graduate.
“We help [the interns] get a good idea of what expectations are in a career in law enforcement,” Jagoda said, “And we also act as a liaison to all the law enforcement agencies that they are looking to apply for. We also help with preparing for physical agility, oral interviews and different tests.”
Touray has helped the department immensely, according to Jagoda, and he has continued to volunteer during the academic year.
“It was really exciting having [Touray] because he is really energetic and enthusiastic,” Jagoda said. “He helped us with a lot of our community policing events and preparing for incoming students. He’s helping us, actually, to this day, with community outreach.”