SCCC students hit the streets with criminal justice internships

Newton - Four Sussex County Community College criminal justice students received on-the-job training in their chosen fields during internships with local law enforcement. Michelle Bolognini, William Calomiris, Daniel Farruggio, and Dona Nidelko earned credits toward graduation while working in the field. To qualify, students must complete 30 credits, (including 12 in criminal justice), have a GPA of 2.8 or higher, and have permission from the program coordinator. They also must interview and have their background checked. As interns, students learn about the operation of the police department, prosecutor, public defender, courts, jails, prisons and emergency management response agencies. Michelle Bolognini spent her spring semester with the Hamburg Police Department learning along side the officers. Reflecting back on her experiences she said, “Knowledge is contagious and powerful, and a book can only express a certain level of concepts and procedures. Experiences, on the other hand, deliver multitudes of information that will be remembered indefinitely. The Hamburg Police Department has guided me on this educational journey.” She goes on to say, “This practicum has not only taught me key information but it has made me love this career more than I ever thought.” William Calomiris and Dona Nidelko both interned with the Franklin Police Department this past spring. They each spent time patrolling with different officers. Nidelko said, “This time with the Franklin Police Department really showed me the basics of how to be a police officer.” Calomiris was taught how to look up information in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) computer program. “I also learned about when to give a ticket and when not to.” Nidelko concluded, “This internship is well worth the time to anyone who is sincere about becoming a police officer. I had a lot of hands on training in the station and out on the road. I can say that I made the right choice of majoring in Criminal Justice and wouldn’t change it for the world.” One internship was not enough for Daniel Farruggio. He spent a few months in the fall with the Hamburg Police Department, working closely with the K-9 unit, Patrolman Jason Eben and his bloodhound Diezel. “On a regular basis I ran dog trials for Officer Eben. Dog trials are necessary for the training and success of Officer Eben and his dog. I would simulate different types of crimes and flee from the scene, seeing if Diezel could locate me,” said Farruggio. Additionally, Farruggio was assigned to the Northern State Prison where he completed tasks and worked with corrections officers, staff and administration, as part of his second internship. The program has been under the direction of William McGovern for two years. He is also an instructor at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute, the New York City Police Academy and the Port Authority Police Academy teaching such topics as community policing, crime prevention, and domestic violence. An instructor is Wendy Cooney who spent 25 years with the NJ State Police. She retired as a sergeant first class, supervising the training bureau. She is presently a Criminal Justice instructor at SCCC. The program is designed for students who plan to attend four-year programs, but approximately one-half of the graduates have found full-time employment in security-related fields upon graduation. Graduates of two and four year degree programs are employed in a variety of professional positions by federal, state, county, and municipal governments as well as by private industry.