POLSC 154                                                                                                                                                                 Introduction to Law Enforcement

Dr. Joanna Briganti                

Field Interview

 Assignment Objective:

 The purpose of this assignment is for you to have a chance to interact with a professional working in the criminal justice system to learn some things about their everyday approach to justice. You may select any person working in CJ for this interview. You should, however, be sure to make an appointment, and employ a professional approach to your visit. 

 Format:

 You should prepare a note-taking guide to use in your interview.  Upon completion, you should type both the questions and answers from the interview.  Following the interview you should type your answers to the post–interview questions in paragraph format.

 Suggested Questions: 

1.    What is your title, rank, etc.?

2.    How long have you been with______________?

3.    How did you decide on your career?

4.    In general do you like your current position?  Why or why not?

5.    Please describe a typical day. Or as close to a typical day as possible?)

6.    What do you like best about your job?

7.    What do you like least about your job?

8.    Please describe an interesting experience you have had on the job recently (or not so recently).

9.    How is your performance evaluated and by whom?

10. How do local politics affect your department or job?

11. What advice would you give to a college student seeking work in your field?

12. If you could have a different position in criminal justice, what would it be?  Why?

 Remember to prompt for explanations.  Ask why often and give your interviewee a chance to explain things to you.  Following the interview, you should answer the following questions.

 Post Interview Reflections:

 Answer the following questions in essay/paragraph format- 

1.    Why did you interview this particular individual?

2.    What was your overall opinion of the person, their job, and your interview experience?

3.    Do you think this individual is effective in their current position?  Why or why not?

4.    To what extent do you believe their job is affected by politics (internal or external)?

5.    Would you want this person’s job?  Why or why not?

6.    What else did you learn from this experience?

 Grading Criteria:

 Choice of interview subject:                                 5 points

Thoroughness of interview:                                  20

Thoroughness of post interview essay               20

Format, mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc.)        5

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Total                                                                   50 points