BSUPD

Dog Days of Summer

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:34:21 +0000

Dog Days of Summer HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Mon, 07/31/2023 - 12:34

Internship with campus police K-9 unit paves the way for senior’s future

August 8, 2023

Heather Harris Michonski

Summertime, and the campus may not be bustling as usual. However, there is still important work being done at 51�Թ��. Just ask Alysiana Cruz, ’24, who secured an internship with the Bridgewater State police department over the break.

It is the first time BSUPD offered a summer internship.

“I was having a hard time finding an internship until Diane Bell and Aboubacar Diakite helped,” Cruz said.

Bell, who serves as vice president of Outreach and Engagement and oversees the Rising Bears program, and Diakite, the BSUPD liaison in charge of the Building Bridges program, are both keen on helping students find the careers of their dreams.

Rising Bears was developed to help prepare students of color and/or first-generation students for the workforce, while Building Bridges was established to create a partnership with the BSUPD to help close the divide that sometime exists between police and members of the campus community.

"I wanted to intern with any police department, but more specifically one that had a K9 unit,” Cruz said.

It just so happens that the BSUPD has a K-9 unit but didn’t have a current opening.

During the school year, the department had previously hired two interns to work with its two K9s: Zach, a community resource dog and explosive-detection K-9, and Mikey, a facility dog that works with community members and first responders.

When approached by Bell and Diakite, the BSUPD welcomed the idea of adding a summer intern to work with the dogs.

“In terms of my career, I want to work with K-9s, so when I learned that this opportunity was available, I was excited,” Cruz said.

She applied, went through the interview process, and was hired.

“It’s been an educational experience. I learn something new every day. I’m gaining a lot of knowledge about the K9s and when I enter the academy I’ll bring that knowledge with me,” Cruz said.

Being able to intern in the summer months has also proven to be beneficial in other ways.

“It’s been helpful because during the school year, things can get hectic. Being able to have this opportunity during the summer months allows me to give more attention to the job, it helps me to better focus on my career path,” Cruz said.

As she gets ready to start her senior year this fall at BSU, Cruz said she feels better prepared for what’s next and is more confident in her decision to pursue a career in law enforcement with plans to take the state civil service exam next year.

“I’ve been able to learn about the protocols and procedures of the BSUPD and understand the roles that both Mikey and Zach play on campus, how they work and engage with the community,” she said. “It’s been a very positive experience and I definitely think this internship has helped me reach my goals, learn new things and I now have great references to get me where I want to go.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

It’s been helpful because during the school year, things can get hectic. Being able to have this opportunity during the summer months allows me to give more attention to the job, it helps me to better focus on my career path.

Alysiana Cruz, ’24

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BSUPD

Internships

Arresting Opportunities

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:16:45 +0000

Arresting Opportunities HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Fri, 06/16/2023 - 10:16

Campus police establish cooperative efforts and internships with local departments

June 20, 2023

Heather Harris Michonski

This past year a new program was put in place at 51�Թ�� that created paid internships for students with the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.

The program, BSUPD Building Bridges, was created by 51�Թ�� Police Department(BSUPD) Community Liaison Aboubacar Diakite.

“The whole purpose behind the program is to create a partnership with the BSU and local police departments to create connections,” he said.

Since arriving on campus over a year ago, Diakite’s mission as community liaison has been to build bridges to help close the divide that often exists between police and members of the campus community.

To launch BSUPD Building Bridges he reached out to criminal justice Assistant Professor Dr. Luzi Shi to see if she would be willing to collaborate and incorporate components of the program into her curriculum.

“I wanted to bring professionals in the field to the students,” Diakite said.

Shi agreed and members of the BSUPD and Plymouth County Sheriff departments visited Shi’s class to share what it’s like to work in law enforcement.

“It’s important to have these meetings for students to learn directly from the folks actually doing the work,” Diakite said.

He wanted to bring in community allies as well as members of the BSUPD to provide diverse examples of how law enforcement operates.

“Having a full-functioning law enforcement agency here on campus allows our students to learn directly from our officers,” Diakite said. “I also reached out to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s department because I felt it would provide an opportunity to expose our students to the corrections world.”

Through BSUPD Building Bridges, students also made an off-site visit and traveled to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department headquarters located in Plymouth.

“We were taken into a unit, a cell and were able to really see what it’s like to work in those environments,” Diakite said.

With a relationship now established, Diakite wanted to do more for the students and worked with the sheriff’s department to see if they could possibly create internship opportunities for BSU students, not just majoring in criminal justice, but in all fields.

The sheriff’s department was agreeable and together they were able to create eight paid internships for students studying not only criminal justice, but also in other disciplines including social work and communications.

“There are a lot of transferable skills involved in law enforcement, you don’t have to study criminal justice to be in the field,” Diakite said.

More than 20 students applied for the internships and went through the interview process. Those selected participated during the spring semester and at the conclusion of the internship presented what they learned to members of the sheriff’s department.

Things went so well that two students plan on pursuing careers as correction officers, Diakite said.

“It’s great being able to create a pathway to put students in a position to succeed. The program not only bridged the gap between police and the BSU community but created pathways for students to succeed and that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

It’s great being able to create a pathway to put students in a position to succeed. The program not only bridged the gap between police and the BSU community but created pathways for students to succeed and that’s what it’s all about.

Aboubacar Diakite, BSUPD community liaison

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BSUPD

Steps to Success

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Thu, 18 May 2023 14:05:29 +0000

Steps to Success HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Thu, 05/18/2023 - 10:05

BSUPD helps former intern land job

May 25, 2023

Heather Harris Michonski

Last fall, Loyalty Cannon, ’23, walked into the East Campus Commons on the way to pick up her textbooks for the semester when she noticed that members of the 51�Թ�� Police Department (BSUPD) were hosting a “Popcorn with Police” event. Cannon didn’t think much of it until BSU community liaison Aboubacar Diakite offered her a free bag of popcorn.

She didn’t know it then, but Cannon was about to gain more than just a mid-day snack. The small gesture ultimately led her to an internship and eventual career.

Cannon listened as Diakite explained that his role as liaison on campus was to help bridge the gap between the BSU community and BSUPD. A few weeks later, she ran into him again at the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice sponsored Bears Fighting Hunger event.

“I asked how she was doing and offered her my card and told her my door was always open,” Diakite said.

This time Cannon, a criminal justice major, took him up on his offer and shared with him her struggles in finding an internship.

“I had applied for many internships, but nothing was working out. I needed an internship to graduate with my degree in criminal justice and was feeling a bit overwhelmed,” she said.

Diakite listened and asked her to bring in her resume and to write up a cover letter. Together they made appropriate edits and sent them off to prospective employers, including the Suffolk District Attorney’s office.

Soon, Cannon heard back and was invited to interview for an internship.

In short order, she was relieved to be offered a dual internship, working in both the human resources department and the victim women’s advocate program.

“I gained a lot from the internship. I learned a new skill set. I had never worked in administration before and found I liked it,” she said.

Cannon also shadowed attorneys in the program and learned how to better help victims by collecting pertinent information in a clear and concise manner to assist victims with their cases.

“My supervisors were so knowledgeable. I got real-world experience, watched trials, and was able to see firsthand how things work behind the scenes,” Cannon said.

With a month left in her internship, Cannon was approached by her supervisor with a job offer. After weighing her options, she applied for and was offered the position of internship coordinator in the human resource department.

“I’m really excited. A lot of college students don’t get a job offer right after they graduate. I’m very grateful and excited for this opportunity right after college,” she said.

Cannon is also grateful that Diakite offered her that free bag of popcorn, without making that connection, she wouldn’t be on her current path.

“I’m so appreciative that he helped me get this internship and after I started the internship, he didn’t throw me to the wind, he checked in and asked how it was going and what I was learning. He has been a great mentor from the first time I met him,” she said. “He’s such a great person to have a Bridgewater State, he’s very resourceful, caring, and genuine in everything he does, not only for me, but for many students at BSU.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I’m really excited. A lot of college students don’t get a job offer right after they graduate. I’m very grateful and excited for this opportunity right after college.

Loyalty Cannon, '23

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BSU Works

BSUPD

Alumni Profile

BSU Welcomes Police Liaison

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:47:42 +0000

BSU Welcomes Police Liaison HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Tue, 03/08/2022 - 10:47

Role created to bridge gap between community and police

March 10, 2022

Heather Harris Michonski

Aboubacar Diakite arrived at 51�Թ�� in January with an important mission: to help bridge the gap that can sometimes exist between police and members of the community they serve.

Diakite was appointed BSUPD’s community liaison, a new position created as part of the department’s racial justice policing model.

“Bridgewater taking steps to create positions like this shows how determined they are to really talk about issues like racial justice, systematic fair treatment of all people, and equality opportunities,” he said.

Chief David Tillinghast said Diakite’s role will help the department further develop and maintain trust and understanding, especially with students of color.

“We need to bridge the divide we know exists between law enforcement and communities of color…and we need specialized approaches to serving diverse students and groups,” the chief said.

Throughout his career, Diakite has worked in a variety of roles with the similar goal of helping others and strengthening communities.

After graduating from Suffolk University with a degree in sociology and concentration in criminal justice, he worked as a social worker for the state Department of Children and Families.

From there, Diakite moved to Boston municipal court, where he worked directly with litigants of domestic violence. This often required collaboration with local and state police.

Still wanting to do more, Diakite moved on to serve as an investigator for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.

“A lot of times when police respond to crimes, they don’t get a full picture of what transpired…People put up a wall,” he said. “As an investigator, I called victims and allowed them to tell their side of the story to get a better picture of what happened during incidents.”

In all his roles, Diakite found success by listening, collaborating, and effectively communicating. He looks to apply these skills as the BSUPD community liaison.

“My goal is to work with the BSUPD, outside organizations, students, faculty, and staff to help establish trust,” he said. “In order for us to bridge gaps between the BSUPD and students, there has to be some level of trust there.”

Chief Tillinghast, upon interviewing Diakite, felt it was obvious he was the right person for the job.

“He thoroughly understands what we are trying to accomplish,” he said. “We believe he will be able to relate to and work excellently with students as well as law enforcement.”

Diakite plans to create a space for open dialogue.

“The narrative is that people of color have no trust in law enforcement,” he said. “In order for us to break down these barriers, we have to have conversations.”

He is already reaching out and meeting with departments across campus to learn what resources are available and how they can work together to create an agenda for his new position.

In doing the work, he hopes the voices that are the strongest come from the students themselves.

“I look forward to having uncomfortable conversations,” Diakite said. “I’m ready for it. I welcome all to bring it to the table, to get input on what we can do better. I’m willing to listen to what students have to say… Everyone’s opinion is welcome.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I look forward to having uncomfortable conversations. I’m ready for it. I welcome all to bring it to the table, to get input on what we can do better. I’m willing to listen to what students have to say…Everyone’s opinion is welcome

Aboubacar Diakite, BSUPD community liaison

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Racial Justice

BSUPD

Photo by Luis Pires, '23

Police Work

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:53:54 +0000

Police Work HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Tue, 02/08/2022 - 08:53

Internship paves way for future career in law enforcement

February 8, 2022

Heather Harris Michonski

It didn’t take long for Sarah Carlozzi, ’24, to feel confident she’d made the right decision transferring to 51�Թ��.

“At my other school I tried my best to get my foot in the door, but nothing ever really happened. No one reached out,” she said. “But here I feel so welcomed. I didn’t expect that, to feel like I’m at home.”

One thing that has struck the criminal justice major is all BSU offers.

“There are a lot more opportunities here than people realize,” she said.

One of those opportunities is her internship with the 51�Թ�� police department (BSUPD).

“I wanted to intern with the BSUPD because I want to pursue a career in law enforcement.” Sarah said. “I love connecting with the community and I wanted to become familiar with the field.”

Under the guidance of BSUPD Captain Ryan Tepper, the aspiring police officer is getting hands-on experience, learning what it takes to work in law enforcement.

“Captain Tepper has set specific goals for this internship, which is to get me comfortable working in this profession, to get me ready for the police academy,” Sarah said. “He’s teaching me everything I need to know to become a successful police officer.’

Sarah’s main role is working community relations for Tepper and Zach, the department’s K-9.

Zach is a dual-purpose K-9 trained not only to sniff out explosive material, but also serves as a community resource dog.

Among other things, Sarah manages Zach’s social media pages, creates videos, and oversees his social calendar.

“We’re meeting so many different people on campus,” she said.

The goal is to create as many opportunities as possible for campus members to meet Zach and Tepper, so they can foster better relationships with the BSU community.

“People often see police officers as some sort of government group that’s against them, but police are really there to help, to give a helping hand,” Sarah said. “(Police) are people too…just like the professors at BSU, police are here to do a job and support all the students on campus.”

After working with Tepper and Zach, Sarah plans to pursue a career as a K-9 handler herself, specifically to identify illegal drugs and substances.

“My uncle died from a heroin overdose, so I’m inspired to work with K-9s that can help take drugs out of communities. I want to work and try to fix the drug problem we have,” she said.

For now, Sarah will continue to learn all she can through her internship and help spread awareness about the BSUPD.

“I really want to humanize the badge, to make sure people are aware that the police department is on campus and it’s okay to ask them for advice,” she said. “Don’t hesitate to reach out. They are amazing people. I didn’t know what to expect going into my internship, but I really like it and feel as though I’m part of a family.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

I really want to humanize the badge, to make sure people are aware that the police department is on campus and it’s okay to ask them for advice.

Sarah Carlozzi, '24

Tags

Internships

BSUPD

Photo by Luis Pires, '23

'Pawsitive' Approach

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 19:04:16 +0000

'Pawsitive' Approach HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Thu, 10/07/2021 - 15:04

New police ‘officer’ making friends across campus

October 12, 2021

Heather Harris Michonski

Some people, when they see a police officer, do their best to avoid contact.

It’s a reaction Bridgewater State Police Captain Ryan Tepper and canine officer Zach hope to change.

“When people interact with police officers, it’s often under stressful circumstances, when they are having their worst day,” Tepper said. “But police officers aren’t bad. We truly are trying to help people and get them on the right path.”

To bridge the gap between law enforcement and the BSU community, the university’s police department brought Zach, an 18-month black Labrador retriever, onboard.

“We are proud to say that this program is another BSU first,” said Police Chief David H. Tillinghast. “We are the first police department among the state universities to institute a canine outreach program.”

Since arriving at BSU in September, Zach has worked hard as a community resource dog. Together with Tepper, he’s been invited to many events, and even shares the places they visit on his own Instagram account.

“I anticipated and hoped that when Zach and I are out, that he would help break down barriers, and he’s done just that,” Tepper said. “Everywhere we’ve gone, people love him. Students who may not have interacted with me (in uniform) before, are now coming up and asking to pet him, even taking photos with us.”

Zach has also been trained to detect explosive material. His nose can sniff out potential danger to help ensure nothing dangerous is on campus.

“We have wanted a dual-purpose canine for a long time,” said Deputy Chief Glen Anderson. “The primary purpose is to serve as an outreach canine, something that helps us be more approachable within our community, but we also wanted the dog to help keep our community safe.”

To find Zach, the BSUPD reached out to the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad, with whom they have a long-standing relationship.

The state police connected them with Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that trains inmates to raise service dogs for wounded veterans and first responders, as well as explosive-detection canines for law enforcement.

Puppies stay and live with the inmates starting at the age of 8 weeks until approximately 24 months, with some, like Zach leaving sooner.

“The program is very impressive,” Anderson said.

Over the summer Zach and Tepper completed a 12-week explosive detective training class with the Massachusetts State police where the duo received perfect scores.

“Tepper is an amazing canine handler and Zach is unbelievable. We really could not have gotten a better handler or dog,” Anderson said.

Tepper encourages BSU students and community members to come up and say hi if they cross paths with Zach, but to make sure and ask first before approaching.

“Come on up and pet him, we are always happy to meet new people, never be shy,” Tepper said, adding that Zach’s presence so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The (law enforcement) profession itself is a service profession,” he added. “By trade we are public servants, and our job is to serve and protect the community and to have relationships with people who will open up to us. By doing this it helps us serve them better.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

Everywhere we’ve gone, people love him. Students who may not have interacted with me (in uniform) before, are now coming up and asking to pet him, even taking photos with us.

BSUPD Captain Ryan Tepper

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BSUPD

Photo by Luis Pires, '23