Gordon: Criminal Justice Internships, 7th Edition


Case Studies with Questions and Answers

1. Trip to Airport

Airport Scenario:
You arrive at your internship site and find your field supervisor had to leave work early to pick up a sick child from school. He left in a hurry, but before he left, he got the OK from his department head to have you assigned to a co-worker for the day. You meet Terry, your field supervisor for the day. Terry tells you: “you’ll get some real experience today.” Before you know it, you are on a drive to the airport. This is exciting stuff to you: a trip to the airport to do some “real police work.” You find it funny that in the course of your internship, the airport is never mentioned. Your agency typically does not have any business at the airport, and you are unaware of any case your field supervisor is working on that involves the airport. Terry parks his “job vehicle” in front of a terminal. He then points out a man to you who is pacing back and forth nervously. The man looks out of place, even in this busy airport. Terry tells you that parking is tough at the airport so he’ll stay in the vehicle so it doesn’t get towed. He says your first “mission” for him is a big one. Terry hands you a sealed envelope and instructs you to give it to the man and go pick up a package from him. He tells you this is a very important case. 

Questions

  1. Are there any details in this scenario that concern you? If so, which ones?
  2. Correct Answer

    • What you are dropping off or picking up?
    • Why would an intern be given a package?
    • What official business does your department have at the airport?

  3. What actions, if any, would you take?
  4. Correct Answer

    • Talk to your school internship coordinator
    • Tell your field supervisor
    • Ask the supervisor of the day what was in the envelope

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