Summary of Experience
As an intern with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), I was given the opportunity to take part in numerous activities that have allowed me to expand upon my personal goals and professional objectives. These experiences will aid me in my future endeavors in aspects of criminal investigation and corresponding procedures.
Interning with an organization that spreads its services worldwide ranging from counterintelligence, cyber crimes, felony investigations, combating terrorism and protection and security, leaves a wide array of areas to focus on. The NCIS has offered me many opportunities to explore and possible career objectives to concentrate on. One of my three main goals that I believe to be most helpful is weapon and firearm familiarization. As an agent, you are required to pass quarterly examinations in various firearms including pistol and shotgun handling and firing. In addition, yearly training on proper usage and handling of a baton is also crucial to the experiences and qualifications as a Special Agent. In order to execute my objective of firearm and weapon familiarization, I attended training and qualifications in both proper pistol and shotgun conduct and safety tips for shooting as well as a yearly baton-training course. I first observed the quarterly qualification for firearms. I was able to see proper hand placement, learn important safety tips, and listen to the directions for qualification, before trying it myself. I placed both guns in my hand, reviewing the safety tips before shooting. I was able to shoot 15 rounds with a pistol and one round with a shotgun, and hit the target every time! At the baton-training course, I was provided with a hard, plastic baton. The instructor taught us specific hand and feet techniques to ensure our safety in the event of an altercation. After demonstrating the motions to my class, I was able to practice swinging and hitting the baton on a moving target. Throughout my internship, I have learned many things, one of the most important being safety for yourself and those around you. The skills that I was able to acquire through my weapon and firearm familiarization courses are excellent abilities to have.
Surveillance and gathering information in order to conduct accurate and more thorough investigations are also important aspects in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. One of my professional objectives was to learn the correct way in which to obtain evidence through surveillance, compile the evidence into a coherent fashion that will explain what I have discovered and why I believe there is probable cause to search a residence, property, and person. In order to gain knowledge of this process, I attended numerous counts of surveillance on various homes throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. During the surveillance on a suspect, I noted important tips and methods to obtain the best evidence. Some of the more important tips when gathering background information include finding out the location and employer of the suspect. When does he or she work? What types of vehicles are in the driveway and which ones belong to the suspect? Which route does he or she drive to work, Are there animals at the residence? Are there any other properties that could potentially hide evidence imperative to the investigation? While the necessity of certain questions vary on a case-by-case basis, after answering these questions, the Special Agent conducting the investigation will have much more detail on file to use to his or her advantage when serving a search warrant. During my internship, I was also included on the development of the reports given in order to obtain a search warrant. I have read many case files and practiced writing my own evidence report to obtain a legal search warrant. Involving myself in surveillance activity, working with Special Agents on duty, and composing an evidence report to attain a search warrant are valuable skills to utilize in any criminal investigation. My experience with the NCIS has shown me the precise ways to go about getting such evidence and how to apply it in a range of cases.
My experience with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has been extremely rewarding and very educational. I have been motivated to continue a career in criminal investigative services and been directed into areas that I have found to be both the most important and crucial to providing safety through this organization.
