MU Criminology students experience real-life crime with OPD
BY RACHEL WADDICK
SEPT. 13, 2007

For Miami University students who contribute countless hours to internships that mostly require making copies and pouring coffee, the thought of a hands-on, beneficial internship is a distant dream.

For criminology students who volunteer with the Oxford Police Department, it’s no dream: it’s a reality.

The OPD provides prospective interns with a convenient location and a welcoming police force to accumulate some of the 160 required hours of fieldwork. There are usually three or four students working at once during the year, and one or two during the summer.

“We love the energy that these students bring,” said Sgt. John Buchholz, who has been a detective at the OPD for 11 years and a member of the force for 30.

Buchholz works most closely with the interns, assigning them tasks and asking them for assistance with his own duties.

From investigating methamphetamine labs to rape cases, nothing is withheld from these interns.

“They definitely aren’t sheltered,” said Buchholz. “We’re aware of sensitive investigations, but we don’t censor these kids. They can handle it.”

Interns are given a training manual, but most learn as they go. This doesn’t prove to be a problem, however, because of how perceptive the students are. “They’re like sponges,” said Buchholz. “They soak up everything you give them. It’s amazing.”

While administrative work is part of interns’ duties, they also play a more important role in many cases. Buchholz recalled one investigation where duct tape was used on a student during an assault. The duct tape was confiscated and the intern was provided the responsibility of analyzing it.

“We put him to work identifying the type of duct tape, where it was manufactured, if it could be purchased anywhere in Oxford, and if there were any traces of other identifiable substances anywhere on it. It’s an important job, but [these interns] have to get experience from somewhere,” Buchholz said.

According to Kathryn Hitch, who interned from May 2007 to the beginning of this month, her duties far exceeded her expectations. “I didn’t expect to be trusted with so much. I kind of figured I’d be doing more administrative stuff. Instead, I got to experience everything first-hand, and go out on calls with them. I walked away with a good idea of what [the police] do, which has very much influenced where I am thinking about taking my career.”

Jessica Jones, who interned from January 2007 to June 2007 agrees. “I had a perception of what it would be like when I went into it, but I came away with much, much more than I ever thought I would.”

One of the reasons why the OPD provides such hands-on experience is because of the smaller size of the town.

“We investigate a lot of crimes that bigger cities don’t waste their time on,” said Buchholz. “Big cities don’t have the luxury of time, but we do. We have a good amount of time to dedicate to each case and so do [the interns]. The more time a police department has, the more time can be given to interns to experience things at their own pace.”

However, Buchholz says that while one goal of the OPD is to provide interns with experience, another goal is to foster a connection between these students and the police department itself. “It’s important to provide them with the right perspective,” Buchholz said. “Everyone comes in with stereotypes, even if they do happen to like the police. Most students see us in a negative role, telling them they can’t do this, they can’t do that. Actually, that’s only a small part of what we do.”

Hitch and Jones also benefited from forming close relationship with the police officers. Hitch said she has the cell phone numbers of many officers, and feels comfortable confiding in them as she would with close friends.

“The best part about the job were the people I worked with,” added Jones. “They were amazing.”

Buchholz also says he has a vested interest in the well-being and success of these interns. “Oh, we’d talk about obnoxious boyfriends, tough professors, anything. You have to understand they’re like my children. They’re like my sons and daughters. I really care about them.”

But the Oxford Police Department doesn’t just accept anyone as an intern. Considering the significant amount of confidential and sensitive information these interns come across, the OPD requires a lot of paperwork that includes a background check on the applicant.

“Being thorough is important, especially because of the important nature of many of these investigations,” Buchholz said. “We just have to make sure that the applicant is mature enough and willing enough to take on the responsibility of the job.”

While being a criminology student is not required of interns, the OPD accords them special preference because of the intense amount of field work required to graduate with that minor. But in the past, the department has accepted students from all majors, including journalism and education fields.

“In fact, I remember we had one young lady who was an education major. She loved working here so much, that I found out when she graduated, she became a cop for five years and then decided to teach. But yes, it is preferable if you are a criminology minor.”

Aside from a clean record and a criminology minor, what other qualities does OPD seek in applicants?

“Dedication and maturity are very important,” said Jones. “You are trusted with a lot of information, and the officers have to feel confident that you will keep confidential things confidential and that you act professionally when need be.”

“You definitely have to be interested in it and really want to get an idea of what the police do,” added Hitch. “You have to want to be involved because if you go in each day and don’t get involved you’re not going to enjoy it.”

In fact, Hitch enjoyed her experience so much that she plans on doing it again this spring, after she completes an accounting internship in Dayton.

“I can’t wait to go back,” she said.

When she does, she will be welcomed with open arms. “We love it when our interns come back and visit,” said Buchholz.

While Buchholz retires at the end of next August, he says he will probably continue to interact with interns as a part-time OPD officer.

“I might be retiring, but one thing’s for sure,” he said as he erupted into a smile from ear to ear. “I might seem old, but these interns kept me young. They kept me young, they made me laugh, and those good memories are all I need to retire on.”