Two Forensic Science Majors from St. Andrews Serve Local Law Enforcement Internships
“There’s only so much you can learn from a book,” said Brittany Parrish, a senior Forensic Science major at St. Andrews Presbyterian. For her and classmate John Coppolo, going beyond the classroom this semester meant participating in law enforcement internships in Scotland County. Parrish landed at the Laurinburg Police Department while Coppolo experienced the Scotland Sheriff’s Department.
Laurinburg, NC, May 06, 2009 --(PR.com)-- “There’s only so much you can learn from a book,” said Brittany Parrish, a senior Forensic Science major at St. Andrews Presbyterian. For her and classmate John Coppolo, going beyond the classroom this semester meant participating in law enforcement internships in Scotland County.
Parrish landed at the Laurinburg Police Department while Coppolo experienced the Scotland Sheriff’s Department.
St. Andrews students frequently participate in local internships that give them real-world experience. With a growing Forensic Science program, the college has more students available for law enforcement internships.
Captain Kimothy Monroe oversaw Parrish’s internship at the police department while Chief Deputy Steve Smith supervised Coppolo.
Monroe and Smith agreed that this year’s law enforcement interns were well prepared for their experience.
“Brittany has a large amount of discipline and she’s been able to interact and learn from our officers,” said Monroe. “We try to give interns something they can use in real life.”
Smith said that Coppolo was well screened and ready for placement with the sheriff’s department.
“He was not high maintenance,” said Smith with a smile. “He now has a good grasp of what we do. He got to see how techniques taught in the classroom are applied in the field.”
Coppolo spent time with detectives, patrol officers, and the school resource officer.
The relationship between St. Andrews and the Sheriff’s Department will take a further step this fall. Smith will become part of the college’s adjunct faculty, teaching a course in ethical decision-making in criminal justice settings for the Forensic Science program.
“It’s a bit of a commitment we’re going to have with St. Andrews,” said Smith. “I have been strongly supported by Sheriff Shep Jones to develop our relationship.”
Both Coppolo and Parrish saw how local law enforcement differs with the images portrayed on television.
“It’s nothing like what you see on television,” said Parrish. She shadowed the department’s narcotics, general crime investigation, telecommunications, and K-9 unit.
Parrish applied the principles she learned in the classroom to the internship. Officers would ask her questions to test her knowledge.
“They are usually teasing, but I can use the general knowledge I have learned here and impress them,” she said. “They have also asked me what I have thought of about certain suspects or people who have come in to talk, and I have been able to use psychology information to tell them what I think.”
She spoke of the officers who also use psychology in questioning witnesses or suspects, able to determine whether the truth is being spoken.
“The internship has opened my eyes to what law enforcement personnel have to go through,” she said. “I knew the job was stressful, but I have been able to see how their job impacts the rest of their lives.
Parrish and Coppolo will follow career paths that their internships will help. Parrish eventually wants to work for the federal government doing intelligence work while Coppolo has applied to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
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About St. Andrews Presbyterian College
An innovative and bold academic venture to an interdisciplinary curriculum, a highly acclaimed college press, an award-winning pipe band, national champion equestrian teams, and first-rate scholarship have marked the distinctive character of St. Andrews. In addition to classes on the main campus, adult learners also choose the Center for Adult and Professional Studies opportunities through St. Andrews @ Sandhills and St. Andrews Online. St. Andrews was formed by the merger on Aug. 29, 1958, of Presbyterian Junior College and Flora Macdonald College. Further information may be obtained by visiting the College's website www.sapc.edu, calling 800-763-0198 or sending an e-mail to info@sapc.edu.
About The Learning House, Inc.
In early 2008, St. Andrews Presbyterian College initiated a partnership with The Learning House, Inc. to assist in the development and unveiling of its online campus. The Learning House is a comprehensive online education solutions partner that helps colleges and universities offer and manage their online education programs. The company provides a total online campus solution to each of its clients, including online course development and publishing, learning management system customization and hosting, online program marketing, 24/7 technology support, faculty and staff training, online education infrastructure and consulting. The Learning House provides online learning services to more than 60 accredited institutions of higher education. For more information about the company, please visit www.learninghouse.com.
Parrish landed at the Laurinburg Police Department while Coppolo experienced the Scotland Sheriff’s Department.
St. Andrews students frequently participate in local internships that give them real-world experience. With a growing Forensic Science program, the college has more students available for law enforcement internships.
Captain Kimothy Monroe oversaw Parrish’s internship at the police department while Chief Deputy Steve Smith supervised Coppolo.
Monroe and Smith agreed that this year’s law enforcement interns were well prepared for their experience.
“Brittany has a large amount of discipline and she’s been able to interact and learn from our officers,” said Monroe. “We try to give interns something they can use in real life.”
Smith said that Coppolo was well screened and ready for placement with the sheriff’s department.
“He was not high maintenance,” said Smith with a smile. “He now has a good grasp of what we do. He got to see how techniques taught in the classroom are applied in the field.”
Coppolo spent time with detectives, patrol officers, and the school resource officer.
The relationship between St. Andrews and the Sheriff’s Department will take a further step this fall. Smith will become part of the college’s adjunct faculty, teaching a course in ethical decision-making in criminal justice settings for the Forensic Science program.
“It’s a bit of a commitment we’re going to have with St. Andrews,” said Smith. “I have been strongly supported by Sheriff Shep Jones to develop our relationship.”
Both Coppolo and Parrish saw how local law enforcement differs with the images portrayed on television.
“It’s nothing like what you see on television,” said Parrish. She shadowed the department’s narcotics, general crime investigation, telecommunications, and K-9 unit.
Parrish applied the principles she learned in the classroom to the internship. Officers would ask her questions to test her knowledge.
“They are usually teasing, but I can use the general knowledge I have learned here and impress them,” she said. “They have also asked me what I have thought of about certain suspects or people who have come in to talk, and I have been able to use psychology information to tell them what I think.”
She spoke of the officers who also use psychology in questioning witnesses or suspects, able to determine whether the truth is being spoken.
“The internship has opened my eyes to what law enforcement personnel have to go through,” she said. “I knew the job was stressful, but I have been able to see how their job impacts the rest of their lives.
Parrish and Coppolo will follow career paths that their internships will help. Parrish eventually wants to work for the federal government doing intelligence work while Coppolo has applied to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
###
About St. Andrews Presbyterian College
An innovative and bold academic venture to an interdisciplinary curriculum, a highly acclaimed college press, an award-winning pipe band, national champion equestrian teams, and first-rate scholarship have marked the distinctive character of St. Andrews. In addition to classes on the main campus, adult learners also choose the Center for Adult and Professional Studies opportunities through St. Andrews @ Sandhills and St. Andrews Online. St. Andrews was formed by the merger on Aug. 29, 1958, of Presbyterian Junior College and Flora Macdonald College. Further information may be obtained by visiting the College's website www.sapc.edu, calling 800-763-0198 or sending an e-mail to info@sapc.edu.
About The Learning House, Inc.
In early 2008, St. Andrews Presbyterian College initiated a partnership with The Learning House, Inc. to assist in the development and unveiling of its online campus. The Learning House is a comprehensive online education solutions partner that helps colleges and universities offer and manage their online education programs. The company provides a total online campus solution to each of its clients, including online course development and publishing, learning management system customization and hosting, online program marketing, 24/7 technology support, faculty and staff training, online education infrastructure and consulting. The Learning House provides online learning services to more than 60 accredited institutions of higher education. For more information about the company, please visit www.learninghouse.com.
Contact
The Learning House, Inc.
Jan Hurst
502-589-9878
www.elearnportal.com/sapc
Jan Hurst
502-589-9878
www.elearnportal.com/sapc
Contact
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