The Cranston Police Department provides more than just safety to their community. Through their internship program, they provide aspiring officers with real-world law enforcement opportunities and responsibility.
Working alongside experienced officers, Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) senior Sam Braginsky has been able to apply concepts from his CCJ courses to real-world situations and gain an understanding of how each division works together. Whether it is observing how officers respond to calls or how detectives approach investigations, Braginsky is eager to use every opportunity that presents itself to learn and grow in the field.
Through a series of weekly rotations across the department, Braginsky is gaining firsthand exposure to the many divisions and specialized units that contribute to the daily operations of a municipal police department. The rotations include patrol, detectives, dispatch, traffic, the Bureau of Criminal Identification, and several other areas, offering a comprehensive look at the work that takes place behind the scenes.
“Each week brings something different, which has been one of my favorite parts of the experience,” Braginsky said.
Beyond observing daily operations, the internship provides valuable opportunities to learn directly from experienced officers, understand departmental procedures, and see how academic concepts translate into professional practice. Each weekly rotation offers a different perspective on law enforcement, reinforcing the importance of communication, collaboration, and attention to detail throughout the criminal justice system.
Though Braginsky started his journey at URI studying business, he quickly realized the major would not lead him to his long-term goals. During the spring semester of his freshman year, he made the decision to switch to criminology and criminal justice; a decision that proved to be a turning point.
“I developed a genuine passion for the field, and ever since then, I’ve been doing everything I can to gain experience, build connections, and prepare myself for a career in law enforcement after graduation,” Braginsky said. “I want to thank Professor Reinmar Reinmar Freis-Beattie for his wisdom and support.”
Since changing majors, Braginsky has made it a priority to pursue opportunities that build professional experience, establish connections, and provide a stronger understanding of potential career paths in law enforcement and the legal field. The internship with Cranston Police is just another important step toward those goals, allowing classroom discussions and coursework to come to life through direct exposure to the profession.
Like many unpaid internships, the opportunity comes with financial and logistical challenges. URI offers multiple internship funds and scholarships to support students in unpaid internship positions. As a recipient of the Arts and Sciences Internship Fund, Braginsky faces less financial stress as he balances the additional responsibility of an unpaid internship along with school and other commitments.
“My days have become significantly longer, which means I’m spending more money on meals and food throughout the week,” Braginsky said. “I’ve also had to purchase professional attire to meet the expectations of the department.”
For a student who discovered their passion for criminal justice at URI, the experience represents exactly what experiential learning is meant to accomplish: connecting education with opportunity and preparing the next generation of professionals to make an impact beyond the classroom.
“I look forward to pursuing a career in law enforcement. I know the experience and connections I gain through this internship will be extremely valuable as I take my next steps, especially from my mentors, Inspector David Boucher and Colonel Michael Winquist.”
This article was written by Arts and Sciences intern Erin Malinn, Journalism, class of 2028