University of Rhode Island

I'm Izze Gill, a rising senior at the University of Rhode Island, triple-majoring in Psychology, Criminology/Criminal Justice, and French. I plan to pursue a master's degree in International Relations, with the ultimate goal of serving in a federal law enforcement agency. This past summer, I had the privilege of interning with the Homicide Unit at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD).


 

After transferring to URI for my sophomore year, I was astonished by the courses at my disposal and the support staff on hand. Competing as a Division I collegiate athlete while specializing in three disciplines can seem daunting, and believe me, I was weary at first; however, my coaches, professors, and counselors encouraged me to indulge in my passions. I dove into my course load, studying a diverse array of topics, including Peer Influence on Crime and Delinquency, Substance-Troubled Persons, and Advanced Topics in French Culture and Literature. The opportunities available to me at URI, combined with the encouragement from those around me, have uniquely prepared me for my internship and the career path that will follow.
 

The MNPD offers a summer internship for students to gain firsthand knowledge and experience in law enforcement. I was fortunate to work directly with the Homicide Division at Headquarters—an uncommon opportunity. As the sole intern, I've felt incredibly welcomed. The camaraderie and strong sense of community mirror my time as a Ram. By a stroke of luck, I've had the opportunity to work alongside Lieutenant Brent Gibson, who ensured I experienced every aspect of the department. The tours, places, and people I observed and worked with have made this summer unforgettable. One week, I was sitting at a round table discussing a recent homicide and analyzing crime scene photos, another time, I was attending a murder trial, the next time, I was participating in a training exercise with a K-9 dog, and finally, I was witnessing a murder scene in person and attending the autopsy the next morning.


 

One of the most remarkable experiences was spending the morning with Sergeant Natalia Johnson and the Police Activities League (PAL), a division of the police department dedicated to youth outreach and community relations. Witnessing the positive impact the MNPD has on the community was so inspiring and reinforced my desire to pursue a career that serves and supports others.

However, the festivities never ended; day after day, I shadowed different detectives and learned about their contributions to the greater Nashville area. Counterterrorism, internal affairs, the FBI's Nashville Field Office, non-lethal shooting, the training academy, the mayor's detail, and the crime lab are among the other areas where I was able to observe. Although action-packed most of the time, some aspects of my internship were less glamorous to the outside world. I was given the responsibility to provide administrative support as well. I organized and maintained case files for both archived and ongoing investigations, listened to jail calls from inmates connected to homicide investigations, reviewed evidence related to cold case investigations, and identified social media accounts linked to persons of interest and their associates. Although these tasks may seem tedious or insignificant, I appreciated the opportunity to contribute to such critical work for the division.
 

This experience provided me with firsthand insight into the complexities of investigative work and the inner workings of a police department. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity and will carry the lessons I've learned with me throughout my career, always appreciative of the MNPD's impact on my path.