Emma Weir has been interested in the New York City Police Department since she was young, and now she’s spending her summer as an intern with the department, the first Pitt-Bradford student ever to do so.
"I’ve always seen the NYPD in action, having lived here all my life," Weir said. She’s also always been interested in helping others and sees her work within the criminal justice field as a way to do so.
Her goal, however, is not to become an officer. She’s more interested in other aspects of law enforcement.
Her current work as an information input analyst assists the officers in utilizing data collection and other software to compile information that they receive in police reports. She also helps coordinate trips for other interns and their mentors.
"Everything that goes on in this entire division of the NYPD goes through the unit I work in, and I’ve enjoyed learning the responsibilities that come with this kind of work," she said. "I hope to continue to learn how to input thousands of different communications and gain a better overall understanding of all the systems used at the NYPD."
Weir wants to learn as much as she can about the NYPD while she’s there, including finding out more about all the various units and their functions and exploring all the job opportunities available.
Each day often brings new projects.
The other day, Weir explained, a sergeant asked her to update and complete a language initiative program project, which ensures accurate and effective communication between NYPD employees and the community.
Weir learned of the internship opportunity from a close family friend who also is an NYPD detective.
"He connected me with someone who is now one of my coworkers, who guided me through the process of applying."
She also was drawn to the internship when Dr. Tony Gaskew, professor of criminal justice, told her that no one in the criminal justice program had ever done an internship with the NYPD.
"My interest was already peaked, because this is one of, if not the best, internships that someone could get in the criminal justice field," Weir said. Being the first Pitt-Bradford student to intern with the NYPD “sparked my interest even more.”
Her favorite part of her internship so far has been the field trips, which have included visiting the Bomb Squad Unit, the 911 Call Center, the NYPD Police Academy and the Firearm Range and Tactical Learning Area. Upcoming trips include the Emergency Services Unit and the Aviation Unit.
She’s most looking forward to a trip to the Driver’s Training Unit “because they will be allowing us to sit in the back of the police cars while a professional completes the course super-fast."
Weir appreciates the experience she’s having.
“Everyone I work with is incredibly kind and helpful, and they are teaching me everything I need and want to know about the NYPD and criminal justice."