For the nature of the work, it seems that internships in the Criminal Justice field are few and far between. As others in the major that want to enter Policing know, even harder to find are internships for those in the Crime, Law, and Justice major that are related to the field of policing and criminal investigation. Because of all of the specialized training and hazardous conditions that are involved in the duty of Policing, interning for a police department is a practice that is often uncommon.
For this reason during the course of the previous winter I had started the search for something productive to add to my resume the following summer. After applying for a number of different positions, I was able to secure my current internship with the local district attorneys office, who had forwarded me to the office of Detective Sergeant Dave Hodges. After I had contacted Det. Sgt. Hodges, he had informed me about the opportunity to intern with the county detectives at the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
The Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division is the investigative affiliate of the District Attorney’s Office. The division consists of thirteen full-time detectives, one full-time evidence coordinator, two full-time support staff persons and one full-time intelligence analysis, whose salary and benefits is paid by the Pennsylvania National Guard Counterdrug Program. 
The Detectives are all sworn police officers certified by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission. The Detectives have full police powers, will investigate all violations of the Pennsylvania law and respond to incidents twenty-four hours a day, if necessary. Our investigative staff has combined law enforcement experience of over 250 years.
The Divison investigates all criminal offenses that occur at County owned or operated facilities including the County Prison. CID Detectives also actively investigate criminal activity that occurs at an location in Dauphin County, and often shares jurisdiction with local and State Police as well as federal agencies such as the FBI and ATF.
The Division also coordinates all extraditions for Dauphin County. The Division investigates over 1000 cases per year, with an ever-increasing demand on the staff because of the office’s investigative ability and neutrality. The Division also coordinates and participates in various law enforcement task forces and initiatives in the County as outlined below:
- Drug Task Force
- Crisis Response Team
- DUI Enforcement
- Capital Area Forensics Unit
- Child Abuse Unit
- Dauphin County Crime Stoppers
- United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force
- Domestic Violence Task Force
- Intelligence Unit
- Fire /Arson Investigation Unit
- Terrorism Task Force
- Tobacco Compliance Program
- Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
As an intern for Dauphin County CID I have the opportunity to correspond with detectives on local developing cases and aid with information gathering as well as suspect apprehension. During a ride-along with a Harrisburg City Police Officer for the 2200 – 0700 shift, I gained first hand knowledge of the typical weeknight of crime and civil disorder. Through observation and interaction with persons who had called the Police for assistance as well as suspects that were stopped on the street, I was able to witness and assist with several arrests due to criminal activity stemming from drug related activity, as well as public disarray.
Travis R. Stotelmyer
Intern, Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division