The criminal justice and criminology field program offers students the opportunity to earn course credit and make career connections while working in a criminal justice setting.
Choose from 100+ sites and complete your internship in the fall, spring or summer. Currently employed in the criminal justice field? You may qualify to earn credits for your real-world experience.
Start Here
It’s exciting to explore the possibilities for your criminal justice field placement! Prior to searching, please read through the information below.
We’re here to help you with this process. Feel free to contact us at any time with questions.
Participation Criteria
- Criminal justice and criminology field program preference will be given to declared criminal justice majors and those who apply early.
- Must have junior standing or above.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Must have completed Criminal Justice 110: Introduction to Criminal Justice.
Credits
- A three-credit placement requires the completion of 96 semester hours.
- A six-credit placement requires the completion of 192 semester hours.
- Some agencies may require more than eight hours a week.
Undergraduate Students
- Undergraduate students may take up to six field placement credits at the permission of the department chair.
- Undergraduate students should enroll in Field Experience Practicum (Criminal Justice 311).
Graduate Students
- Graduate students may take three field placement credits.
- Graduate students should enroll in Independent Reading with Dr. LeBel (Criminal Justice 999).
Your Field Placement Application
- You should not attempt to set up your own placement. The field placement project assistant is responsible for this process.
- A resume and field application are always required; An agency may require additional materials or application forms.
- List your choices in order of preference.
- Placements assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If we cannot place you in your first choice, we will attempt to place you in another agency based on your stated interests.
- Placements are not always available for each agency listed; this varies each semester.
- Submitting your application does not guarantee a field placement.
Federal Agency Placements
- Plan to apply to federal agency placements six to eight months in advance.
- These placements are very competitive.
- Preference is given to graduate students and those interested in federal government careers.
Field placement agencies will accommodate students with learning and physical disabilities.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies
A-F
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Antigo Police Department 840 Clermont St Antigo, WI 54409 | Captain Kyle Rustick | Observe patrol officers through ride-alongs. Spend time working with the jail and dispatch. May be involved with community programs. |
| Bayside Public Safety Department 9075 N Regent Rd Bayside, WI 53217 | Chief Doug Larsson | Provides experience in a combined public safety department. Student will experience patrol, public service, public relations, dispatching and clerical work. |
| Brookfield Police Department 2100 N Calhoun Rd Brookfield, WI 53005 | Lieutenant John Beth | Assignment to patrol, investigations, crime prevention, records, dispatch, tele-serve, and community services. Criminal justice and criminology majors who wish to pursue a law enforcement profession given preference. Fall semester only. See field placement assistant for additional application form. Email inquiries. |
| Brown County Sheriff’s Office 2684 Development Dr Green Bay, WI 54311 | Captain Dan Sandberg | Provides experience in patrol, jail operations, courthouse security, dispatch center, investigative division, special units and community policing. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Brown Deer Police Department 4800 W Green Brook Dr Milwaukee, WI 53223 | Captain Jonathan Schmitz | Observe officers through ride-alongs, in the detective bureau, school resource officer, dispatch center and Milwaukee County Courthouse observing criminal proceedings or intake court, participating in department-run classroom training. May be assigned paperwork or work with an officer at community event or police function. Criminal justice and criminology majors who wish to pursue a law enforcement profession given preference. |
| Caledonia Police Department 6900 Nicholson Rd Caledonia, WI 53108 | Lieutenant Gary Larsen | Assignment will be made to the detective and communication bureaus. |
| Cudahy Police Department 5050 S Lake Dr Cudahy, WI 53110 | Lieutenant Christopher Blunt | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department. Summer only. |
| Dane County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Building 115 W Doty St Madison, WI 53703 | Deputy Carrie Tobias | Areas include: ride-alongs, investigations, jail, court, tactical and special projects. Students interested in law enforcement. Due one week prior to application deadline. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Dodge County Sheriff’s Office 124 West St Juneau, WI 53039 | Captain Trace Frost | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department. |
| Elm Grove Police Department 13600 Juneau Blvd Elm Grove, WI 53122 | Assistant Chief Jason Hennen | Ride-along program. Clear criminal history. Good people skills. Flexible schedule (2nd shift hours). |
G-M
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency PO Box 1003 Williams Bay, WI 53191 | Chief Tom Hausner | Ride-along program. Mainly boat patrol but may also assist with paperwork and community relations initiatives. Summer only. |
| Germantown Police Department N112 W16877 Mequon Rd PO Box 96 Germantown, WI 53022 | Lieutenant James Theep | Provides opportunity to shadow officers during their duty shift to experience traffic stops, field interrogations, interviews, booking procedures and daily roll calls. Email applications. |
| Glendale Police Department 5909 N Milwaukee River Pkwy Glendale, WI 53209 | Community Outreach Officer Kelly DeJonge | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department. |
| Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office 486 Hill St PO Box 586 Green Lake, WI 54941 | Chief Deputy Sheriff Mark P. Putzke | Learn the inner workings of the Sheriff’s Department. Students must reside within Green Lake or a surrounding county. Residence requirement may be waived in lieu of reference by in-county resident. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Greenfield Police Department 5300 W Layton Ave Greenfield, WI 53220 | Captain Eric Lindstrom | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department. |
| Hales Corners Police Department 5635 S New Berlin Rd Hales Corners, WI 53130 | Lieutenant Paul Brantman | Ride-along program. Complete background check and interview with field supervisor required. |
| Hartland Police Department 210 Cottonwood Ave Hartland, WI 53029 | Deputy Chief Rosario Collura | A law enforcement internship with our department is primarily an opportunity for observation of the job through interaction and riding with an officer. The student will learn about internal operations of the department as well as work on the street. Students must be of good character and free of criminal or ordinance convictions that are in conflict with the mission of the law enforcement agency. |
| Lake Geneva Police Department 626 Geneva St Lake Geneva, WI 53147 | Sergeant Jason Hall | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department. |
| Madison Police Department 211 S Carroll St Madison, WI 53709 | Sergeant Theresa Magyera | Provides students with a variety of experiences including forensics services unit, patrol services, community outreach unit, neighborhood officers, traffic enforcement safety team, drug task force, gang and neighborhood crime abatement team, special investigations unit, community policing team, mental health officer and detective bureau. Contact field placement assistant for more information. Fall and Summer internship opportunities only. Summer deadline: March 1 and Fall deadline: Aug. 31. Apply online |
| Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office 1025 S 9th St Manitowoc, WI 54220 | Deputy Inspector Larry Ledvina | Provides experiences on patrol, in the adult and juvenile jail, court processes, dispatch, working with detectives and administration. |
| Menomonee Falls Police Department Community Service Unit W156 N8480 Pilgrim Rd Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 | Assistant Chief Mark Waters | Experience with all three patrol shifts, the detective bureau, communications bureau, community service unit and front office administrative duties. |
| Mequon Police Department 11300 N Buntrock Ave Mequon, WI 53092 | Officer Brian Gensrick | Observe law enforcement officers in various criminal justice settings such as patrol, investigation, detective work, court testimony, and special enforcement activities such as drug enforcement, special response, and school liaison assignments. Students will primarily be participating in patrol ride-along activities on each of the three patrol shifts. |
| Milwaukee Police Department 6680 Teutonia Ave Milwaukee, WI 53209 | Officer Ralph McClain | Positions differ due to interests. Examples are Homicide Review Commission, research, community liaison officer, sensitive crime division, investigations bureau, district stations, crime analysis, forensics, neighborhood safe group, etc. See field placement assistant for additional application form. Email applications. |
| Muskego Police Department W183 S8150 Racine Ave Muskego, WI 53150 | Captain Jim Rozeski | Interns accompany and observe patrol officers, detectives and school liaison officers during their normal duties. Students who are interested in careers in law enforcement preferred. |
N-Z
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Niles Police Department 7000 W. Touhy Ave. Niles, IL 60714 | Executive Assistant to Chief of Police Allie David | Students work with patrol and investigative departments. |
| Oak Creek Police Department 301 W Ryan Rd Oak Creek, WI 53154 | Sergeant Andrew Ahearn | Students will gain valuable experience by observing officers in action. Students will conduct ride-alongs with patrol officers, detectives, court liaison, and dispatchers on all three shifts. As scheduling allows, students may also be able to observe training with evidence techs, SWAT, negotiators, K9 unit, and use of force training unit. |
| Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office 1201 S Spring St Port Washington, WI 53012 | Lieutenant Marshall Hermann | Students will be able to observe all facets of the department, including patrol functions, investigations, communications, canine units, etc. |
| Racine County Sheriff’s Office 717 Wisconsin Ave Racine, WI 53403 | Sergeant Kelly Goetzke | Internship will cover many different areas within the sheriff’s department and will be mainly observation only. |
| Racine Police Department 730 Center St. Racine, WI 53403 | Lieutenant Jessie Metoyer | Students work with the patrol and investigative departments. |
| Saukville Police Department 649 E Green Bay Ave Saukville, WI 53080 | Sergeant Robert Ramthun | Experience in general policing, administration, firearms, court systems, crime lab and accident investigation. |
| Sheboygan Police Department 1315 N 23rd St Sheboygan, WI 53081 | Lieutenant Michael Williams | Mainly observation only internship incorporating many aspects of a police department. In some instances students might assist with special projects. |
| St. Francis Police Department 3400 E Howard Ave St. Francis, WI 53235 | Lieutenant Timothy Blunt | Dispatch duties, film and identification procedures, and general patrol (ride-along). Students interested in a career in law enforcement preferred. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 101 S Webster St Madison, WI 53707 | Conservation Warden Major Cara Kamke | Conservation warden interns will work one on one with a Wisconsin conservation warden. Wardens are law enforcement officers that educate the public through community policing and enforce our state’s hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, snowmobile, ATV and environmental laws. Interns can expect to work with a warden as they carry out their duties. Every day is new and different, and every season in Wisconsin brings something new again. This internship will be about as diverse in its experience as a student could ever hope for. Summer only. Opportunity posted on Handshake. Preference given to students who have a high interest in the prospect of future employment with this agency. See field placement assistant for additional application materials. |
| Two Rivers Police Department 1717 E Park St Two Rivers, WI 54241 | Captain Robert Kappelman | Experience in general policing duties via police job shadowing. Students will also have involvement in community policing programs with specific assignments for students within these community policing programs. |
| Walworth County Sheriff’s Office 1770 County Rd NN PO Box 1004 Elkhorn, WI 53121 | Sergeant Troy Anhalt | Student will be exposed to various aspects of the agency including patrol, radio dispatch, jail and detective division. Student is required to work four, eight-hour shifts per seven-day week for nine weeks. |
| Washington County Sheriff’s Office 500 N Schmidt Rd West Bend, WI 53090 | Sergeant Scott Hanson | Students would go on ride-along, work with corrections officers in the county jail, and communication officers in dispatch center. This is an observation only internship. Washington County residents are preferred but others can apply. |
| Waukesha Police Department 1901 Delafield St Waukesha, WI 53188 | Sergeant Brady Esser | Students will go on ride-alongs. Observation only. Preference given to local residents. |
| Wauwatosa Police Department 1700 N 116th St Wauwatosa, WI 53226 | Officer Daniel Kane | Interns typically do ride-alongs, spend time with dispatch, detectives, and the community support division to see all aspects of the job. This is a competitive internship and a better fit for the six-credit option. |
| West Allis Police Department 11301 W Lincoln Ave West Allis, WI 53227 | Lieutenant Mike Kempinski | Provides students with a variety of experiences including patrol, dispatch, investigation, prevention, courts and crime analysis. Crime analysis portion currently on hold. Email applications. |
| West Bend Police Department 115 S Main St West Bend, WI 53095 | Captain Tim Dehring | Assignment to dispatch, patrol, investigations, court and school liaison officers. No criminal record. Apply early. |
| Wisconsin State Patrol Southeast Region Headquarters – Waukesha 21115 E Moreland Blvd Waukesha, WI 53186 | Send inquiries to: Captain Timothy Carnahan or Sergeant John Wolfe | Provides students with a unique and practical experience in law enforcement. Students will observe and actively participate in six areas of effort: 1) patrol operations 2) communications 3) court 4) effective report writing 5) motor carrier enforcement 6) administration. These areas encompass duty at headquarters in Waukesha and in the field. Preference given to students who are serious about a career in law enforcement and have a high interest in the prospect of future employment with this agency. Must pass an interview with the region commanding officer. Requires eight to 16 hours per week. Must send a written letter of application (cover letter) to the region commanding officer. Application letters will be evaluated for professionalism and articulation as the initial consideration for our program. Letter of recommendation required from field placement assistant. See field placement assistant for more details. Agency requires student to send inquiry. |
Correctional Facilities
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Correctional Institution PO Box 19022 Green Bay, WI 54307 | Bob Novitski | A maximum security prison for adult males. Students will learn issues of security, discipline and social work. |
| Marshall Sherrer Correctional Center 1318 N 14th St Milwaukee, WI 53205 | Gary Mitchell | Minimum security facility for state offenders, houses 32 inmates, designed for short term treatment and work release. |
| Milwaukee House of Correction 8885 S. 68th St Franklin, WI 53132 | Hayley Drehmel | Students will have the opportunity to work directly with the House of Correction’s training department, including in-services, jailer academies, orientation classes, etc. Students also can work directly with correctional staff in a variety of posts throughout our facility, including master control, K9 team training, segregation housing units and programming. Students will learn safety, security, and professional communication skills. Letter of recommendation required. Applicants must be in good academic standing and must be able to pass a background check. |
| Milwaukee Women’s Correctional Center 615 W Keefe Ave Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Corrections Program Supervisor Justin Mosling JoAnne Kemp Lisa Syrrakos | 25 female residents — Drug and alcohol abuse. Female, adult pre-release center (minimum security). Counseling and learning to deal with the offender and her family. Graduate students only. |
| Outagamie County Jail Sheriff’s Office 410 S Walnut St Appleton, WI 54911 | Lieutenant Doug Verheyen | Opportunity to work directly with inmates, participate in various court activities within the jail, as well as observe educational and rehabilitative programming. |
| Racine Correctional Institution 2019 Wisconsin St Sturtevant, WI 53177 | Correctional Supervisor Michelle Finn Program Supervisor Tommy Thomas | An adult male medium security prison with approximately 1,800 inmates, as well as the minimum security facility (Sturtevant Transitional Correctional Facility), that offers wide-range of educational and treatment programs. Variety of Correctional Supervisor opportunities available to students eager to learn. Interns would be able to assist with administrative duties, policy writing, security functions in housing units, records as well as within the treatment areas (psychological, substance use counseling, and social work). Interns that will feel comfortable in an adult male setting and interacting with inmates on a daily basis, in addition to those that can maintain a security mindset and boundary setting abilities should apply. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections 21425-B Spring St Union Grove, WI 53182 | Corrections Center Superintendent Tami Staehler Corrections Program Supervisor Kristen Hoile | Female correctional institution offering a variety of treatment programs. Students may assist with individual case plans, family involvement, research projects, etc. |
Court Agencies, Programs and Law Offices
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee 728 N James Lovell St 3rd Floor Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Staff Attorney Mitchell Rickmeier | Assist with research on legal issues and case fact-finding, data entry, and inmate interviewing for a public interest law firm representing low income people in a variety of civil matters. Graduate students preferred during the summer semesters. |
| Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office Investigative Unit 821 W State St Room 110 Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Deputy District Attorney Matthew Torbenson | Agency responsible for prosecuting criminal (misdemeanor and felony) cases. Duties include assisting investigators, paralegal activity and legal research. Must have good driving record. Articulate on application if interested in working directly with attorneys. Not available for six credits. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Services Division 821 W State St Room 405 Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Tara Ferguson | Units include: child protection advocacy unit; general crimes (misdemeanor, felony and homicide), domestic violence, crisis response, juvenile justice center and outreach (subpoena processors). Interns are assigned to a specific unit but will spend time in each unit. Will be working primarily with victim advocates. Six credits preferred. Cover letter required. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office Investigative Unit 821 W State St Room 110 Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Tara Ferguson | Agency responsible for prosecuting criminal (misdemeanor and felony) cases. Duties include assisting investigators. Must have good driving record. Not available for six credits. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Office of the State Public Defender Milwaukee Trial Office 819 N 6th St 9th Floor Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Kim Reske | Units include: investigations, paralegal and office support, client services specialists (social workers), and law (reserved for law students). Other units may become available. Investigations: Students will participate in various activities related to obtaining records, processing subpoenas, interviewing clients, typing reports, consulting with public defenders on certain cases, and will also conduct independent case investigations. Paralegal and office support: Gather information regarding bail and sentencing plans and assist in trial preparation, sentencing and revocation hearings. Requires 12 to 16 hours per week for three credits; more hours required for six credits. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Rock County Victim Witness Program 51 S Main St Janesville, WI 53545 | Victim Witness Coordinator Andrea Ehret | Student will observe various court proceedings, work with victims or witnesses, and read police reports in order to assess and evaluate the needs of victims. |
| Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office Victim-Witness Assistance 515 W Moreland Blvd G-72 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Jennifer Dunn | Work with families and victims of juvenile sensitive and domestic crimes. Includes exposure to administrative duties, crisis counseling, court escorts and referral services. Six credits only. |
Community Correction Agencies
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Self-Sufficiency 728 N James Lowell St, 2nd Floor Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Tanya Williams | Students will have opportunities to assist in both assessment and counseling of case management. |
| Kalamazoo District Court Probation 227 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | Lynn Kirkpatrick and John Haskell | Student will be provided with a broad overview of the functions of a district court and its probation department. Will also assist with record keeping. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Community Corrections Employment Program (CCEP) 4160 N Port Washington Rd Glendale, WI 53212 | Corrections Field Supervisor Zach Wisniewski | Work with offenders immediately prior or upon release from a state correctional facility. Assist the offenders in finding permanent jobs through the development of good work habits. Provide job performance evaluation and counseling of participants on an employer’s expectation in regular work. Emphasis on exposure to the world of work and the acquisition of basic work skills. Work on case management and could occasionally visit with probation and parole officers. Cover letter required. Must be a criminal justice major. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections 130 E Walnut St Suite 302 Green Bay, WI 54301 | Roger Nevcan | Work with DCC agents to supervise adult offenders who are in the community under conditional release provisions. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Community Corrections 940 Maritime Dr Manitowoc, WI 54220 | Kevin Mueller | Shadow agents in their work activities. Observe court proceedings, jail operations (tour minimum, medium, and maximum facilities), minor violation reports, initial interviews with new clients, and set up case files for supervision. Must have an interest in Community Corrections. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole 819 N 6th St Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Corrections Field Supervisor Zach Wisniewski | Student will work with an agent to supervise offenders on probation and parole. Administrative and direct service counseling placements available. Students may be placed at different locations. All Milwaukee area offices available. Preference given to serious students who are dedicated and have a high interest in working with this agency. Not available in summer. Six credit placement preferred. Cover letter required. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole 3422 Wilgus Ave Sheboygan, WI 53083 | Corrections Field Supervisor Adam Bielinski | Student will work with an agent to supervise offenders on probation and parole. |
| State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections Division of Probation and Parole 1900 Pewaukee Rd Suite I Waukesha, WI 53188 | Jason Popp | Supervision of adult and juvenile clients, home visits, and interviewing clients. |
JusticePoint, Inc.
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| JusticePoint, Inc. Central Liaison Unit (CLU) 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | Provides supervision and case management services to low-risk individuals who enter into pre-charging Diversion Agreements or to moderate-risk individuals who enter into post-charging TAD-ineligible Deferred Prosecution Agreements with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Additionally, CLU provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups using the National Institute of Corrections’ “Thinking for Change” curriculum to individuals whose risk assessments identified anti-social thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes to be likely contributors to future criminal activity. Interns will provide case management and monitoring services for deferred prosecution and diversion defendants. Requires a 16-hour per week commitment. |
| JusticePoint, Inc. Drug Treatment Court 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | Provides coordination and case management services for the Milwaukee County Drug Treatment Court. Interns will be responsible for assisting the coordinator in organizing referrals to the Drug Treatment Court, maintaining records related to the daily operation of the court, as well as ensuring that the court is in compliance with the policies and procedures outlined for the court as well as those promulgated by the National Association of Treatment Court Professionals. Additionally, JusticePoint provides case management services for participants of the Drug Treatment Court – working with clients two to four times a week to identify treatment and other needs necessary for them to achieve and maintain sobriety. Requires a 16-hour per week commitment. |
| JusticePoint, Inc. Pretrial Electronic Monitoring 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | A program that utilizes GPS ankle bracelet technology to monitor compliance with geographic restrictions ordered by the court as a condition of bail. Defendants are ordered to remain in designated locations at designated times of the day and week, all of which is monitored on a minute-by-minute basis by software interfaced with the cellular-enabled GPS tracking bracelet. Like the Pretrial Supervision unit, electronic monitoring staff identify risk and need areas of each defendant and, with court approval, refer clients to programming designed to mitigate or address that risk or need. Interns will conduct background checks, interviews, verification, prepare court reports, and enter info in database. Requires a 16-hour per week commitment. |
| JusticePoint, Inc. Pretrial Supervision 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | Provides supervision and case management services to defendants ordered to supervision as a condition of their bail. Pretrial Officers and case managers monitor all court-ordered conditions of release as well as provide referral services to programming aimed at addressing risk and need areas that are identified as possibly contributing to future justice system involvement if not properly addressed. Staff provide regular reporting to the court on compliance and noncompliance with court ordered conditions and apply incentives or sanctions to pro- or anti-social actions according to a behavior-response matrix. Requires a 16 hour per week commitment. |
| JusticePoint, Inc. Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | Staff provide screening, assessment, and case management for individuals who have entered into Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) with the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Deferred Prosecution Agreements provide an alternative to traditional case processing whereby a defendant who admits to wrongdoing enters into a DPA, which lays out a series of required steps a person must complete over a set period of time. JusticePoint staff use a variety of tools to screen and assess defendants for program eligibility and then provide supervision or case management of individuals who enter into DPAs under the TAD program. Requires a 16 hour per week commitment. |
| JusticePoint, Inc. Universal Screening 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | HR Manager Nicole Coyne | Located in the Milwaukee County Criminal Justice Facility (CJF), pretrial investigators conduct interviews/investigations of all arrestees booked into the CJF who are facing a bail setting decision. Using actuarial risk assessment instruments, pretrial investigators determine an individual’s risk for pretrial misconduct — defined as risk to miss court or be rearrested while on bail — and use that measured risk to make recommendations to judicial officers as to bond type, bond amount, and other conditions of bail suited to mitigate identified risk factors. Requires a 16 hour per week commitment. |
Juvenile Related Programs and Agencies
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New Horizon Center, Inc. PO Box 71109 Milwaukee, WI 53211 | Chantel Bowen | Provides field placement opportunities in social service and counseling areas. Students would shadow professionals to give them a better idea of the position and what it would take to succeed in the social service field. Email applications. |
| Pathfinders Youth Shelter 1614 E Kane Pl Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Susan Raines | A state-licensed group home for runaway youth. Students deal with youth through drug, phone, and crisis counseling; the juvenile system, case planning, and group dynamics. Have students fill out volunteer application on website. |
| Servant Manor PO Box 091484 Milwaukee, WI 53209 | Adrienne Hunter | 24-hour group homes (three group homes within Milwaukee County) with hours available during day, night, and weekends. Interns will assist in the direct supervision and group counseling of youths, cooking, tutoring, and helping with homework. Will go to court and check in on youth at school. Ensure youths complete daily chores and update behavior logs. Will work with various criminal justice programs, agencies, and professionals within the community. Undergraduate students only. |
| Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center 2030 W National Ave Milwaukee, WI 53204 | Rija Rehan | A social service agency providing services to adolescents ages 12 to 17. Services include individual, group, family counseling as well as advocacy regarding school and court situations. Verbal and written documentation skills required. |
Community Resource Agencies
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Benedict Center for Criminal Justice 135 W Wells St Suite 700 Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Kathy Bauernfeind | Concentrates more on human/social services as current opportunity works with sister’s program. Conducts counseling, advocacy, referral and education programs. |
| Clean Slate Milwaukee 2212 N Martin Luther King Dr Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Shanyeill McCloud | Assist agency with connecting criminal justice system impacted men and women with career opportunities as an effort to reduce joblessness, homelessness, crime and recidivism in Milwaukee. Small, local agency. May assist with research and grant writing duties for agency. Will also assist with legal team. |
| Chicago Crime Commission PO Box 8021 Chicago, IL 60680 | Chicago Crime Commission 312-372-0101 | A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to combating crime. Interns gain a firsthand view of the criminal justice system and valuable insight into career opportunities within the criminal justice field. Projects include analyzing crime statistics, conducting research, conducting internet searches on criminal topics, and assisting with event planning and community network projects. Interns will also have the opportunity to tour various criminal justice agencies in and around Chicago. Summer only. Cover letter required. Apply online |
| Dr Martin Luther King Community Center 1531 W Vliet St Milwaukee, WI 53205 | Mr. Greg | A community center, funded by United Way, which provides recreational and cultural activities for youth and adults. Students work with youth ages nine to 17 as well as adults and senior citizens, or in the Social Services Department working with all phases of community involvement. |
| Hope House of Milwaukee, Inc. 209 W Orchard st PO Box 04095 Milwaukee, WI 53204 | Patrick Schrank | Transitional living shelter for men, women, and families that offers youth education programs, adult education programs, community outreach services, the United Southside Food Pantry, and the Angel of Hope Medical Clinic. Students will work closely with youth education liaison with after school and evening services to resident and neighborhood youth. This includes tutoring, recreational and enrichment activities, and accompanying youth on field trips. Opportunities for interns to develop their own group, which are weekly meetings with youth to discuss varying topics. Interns may also attend community meetings with liaison. |
| Office of the Mayor 200 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Apply online | Mayoral interns work directly with the mayor and his staff in several key areas: research, communications, constituent relations and scheduling. This role includes interaction with the general public and serving as the voice of the mayor to his constituents. Interns also play a role in crafting and framing the message that his constituents receive. Positions are generally writing intensive and provide a chance to build a repertoire of writing samples. |
| Project Return 2821 N 4th St Room 202 Milwaukee, 53212 | Wendel Hruska | Assists men and women in returning to the community following incarceration; student will gain exposure to minimum security facilities, and assist in ex-offender work and housing placement. Must have valid driver’s license and own a vehicle. |
| St. Rose Youth and Family Center 3801 N 88th St Milwaukee, WI 53222 | Dereck Wolfgram | Interns would be part of the Family Reunification Program. Interns may be involved with in office support, prison visitation days, support group co-facilitation, individual/family therapy observation and community interaction. |
| Sojourner Family Peace Center 619 W Walnut St Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Lily Grant | Opportunities available in both the Beyond Abuse Program and the Restraining Order Unit. The Beyond Abuse Program operates out of an undisclosed location and works with men and women who have committed violent, abusive, and/or exhibit controlling behavior in their marriage or intimate partner relationships. The goal of the Beyond Abuse Program is to help participants learn to eliminate violent, abusive and controlling behaviors from their relationships. Students will assist in facilitating support groups for this court- mandated program. Students in the Restraining Order Unit, which operates out of the courthouse, will learn and work with clients seeking restraining orders. Read more about Sojourner Family Peace Center. |
| Sojourner Family Peace Center 619 W Walnut St Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Erin Schubert | Assist agency with conducting the Milwaukee Family Court Study. Duties as a research assistant include: Schedule and conduct one-on-one study appointments with participants; Review case notes/records and compile data for specific project needs; Manage and respond to project related phone calls and email; Attend project meetings; Periodically check electronic case management software against physical records to assure accuracy of data; Enter data from various sources in electronic databases; Transcribe audio from client interviews; Maintain confidentiality of clients by removing identifiers and storing data safely; Assist in other tasks as needed. |
| Tellurian Adult Residential Program 2914 Industrial Dr Madison, WI 53713 | Maggie Benson | Learn all aspects of the treatment process including treatment planning, clinical consultations and discharge planning. |
| The Women’s Center 505 N East Ave Waukesha, WI 53186 | Apply online | A shelter for battered women and children that offers legal advocacy, counseling, family support and emergency shelter services. Student must have the maturity to deal with clientele who are faced with domestic, sexual, and child violence. Internships are designed for students who are interested in learning about the full scope of our agency and include duties such as donation sorting, client childcare, front desk support, and clerical or administrative tasks. |
Wisconsin Community Resources (WCS)
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WCS – Intoxicated Driver Intervention Program – Kenosha 1000 55th St. Room 210 Kenosha, WI 53140 | Matt Ruehle 262-605-5095 | Program supervises person on pretrial release at second offense and higher. Activities include screening and assessment supervision, treatment referral and coordination, and letters of violation reports to court. |
| WCS – Intoxicated Driver Intervention Program & General Pretrial Supervision 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Program supervises person on pretrial release at second offense and higher. Activities include screening and assessment supervision, treatment referral and coordination, and letters of violation reports to court. |
| WCS – Jail Screening Program 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Work mainly early morning hours, spend most of the time in jails interviewing inmates within 24 hours of their arrest. Collect basic data such as drug or alcohol use and criminal history. |
| WCS – Parson’s House (Federal Residential Reentry Center) 2930 N 25th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 | Tedi Gentry | A Federal Residential Reentry Center that provides a successful community transition for Federal Bureau of Prisons inmates completing the last six months of their sentence. Students will work under a case manager and will assist in case management, monitoring and treatment services, counseling and discharge planning. |
| WCS – Joshua Glover Center (State Residential Reentry Center) 2930 N 25th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 | Joy Fitzsimons | A State Residential Reentry Center that provides a successful community transition for Wisconsin Department of Correction inmates completing the last 90 days of their sentence. Students will work under a case manager and will assist in case management, monitoring and treatment services, counseling and discharge planning. |
| WCS – Milwaukee County Day Reporting Center (MCDRC) 3732 W Wisconsin Ave Suite 106 Milwaukee, WI 53208 | Nathan Jussila | Program serves both post-conviction and Deferred Prosecution Agreement participants as an alternative to incarceration. Students will help with all essential case management functions, CCAP checks, observing and assisting groups, and assisting participants with job search functions. |
| WCS – Project Excel 2610 W North Ave Milwaukee, WI 53206 | Mojishola (Moji) Mason | Provides comprehensive and intensive community-based services to adolescents aged 12 to 17. Students will be involved in classroom tutorial services, individual and group counseling and activities. Program also involves family outreach and counseling. Prefer students who are able to respond to high need or high risk juveniles. |
| WCS – Unlimited Potential (UP) 2732 W Wisconsin Ave Suite 200 Milwaukee, WI 53208 | Lynore Friscia | Program is outpatient certified substance abuse and mental health counseling and treatment program for adults. UP provides three main services: Drug testing, alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) treatment, and mental health treatment. Students will assist with intakes, orient clients to program requirements, and co-facilitate groups and individual sessions. |
| WCS – Waukesha Community Service Options 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Program assists adults in fulfilling court-ordered CSO obligations by developing placements and monitoring compliance. Interns will place and monitor clients after interview and skill assessment. Contacts community service agencies and schedules work activities. |
| WCS – Waukesha Day Reporting Center 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Program services both post-conviction and Deferred Prosecution Agreement participants as an alternative to incarceration. Students will help with all essential case management functions, CCAP checks, observing and assisting groups, and assisting participants with job search functions. |
| WCS – Waukesha Drug and Alcohol Treatment Courts 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Program provides case management to both Treatment Courts for monitoring and supervision of eligible offenders. Duties include case management, PBTs, drug testing, entering into a database, verifying treatment and verifying compliance. |
| WCS – Waukesha Intensive Tracking and Home Detention 414 W Moreland Blvd Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53188 | Mary Sweeney Director of Waukesha and Jefferson Court Services | Program to monitor juveniles in the community who are under DHS supervision. Interns will assist with monitoring school attendance and other behavioral expectations. Prefer students who are able to respond to high need and high risk juveniles. Summer interns may be required to work up to 40 hours per week. |
Federal Agencies
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) 1000 N Water St Suite 1400 Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Calandra Hensley | Observe activities of agents, assist in investigative duties, assist with clerical duties, assist with firearms tracing project. Students must be interested in a law enforcement career. Undergraduates must be senior status for the semester they are applying for and must have a 3.0 GPA. Six credit placement preferred. Applications must be submitted to field placement assistant at least six months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Apply online | All available internships and requirements are listed on the FB website. Read more about the FBI. Must apply one year prior to semester of placement. |
| Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) | Apply online | Read more about the FLETC. Interns are required to live at the training center facility. Various locations available. Certain locations to accommodate room and board. Session is 12 weeks in length. Summer only. GPA of 3.0 or above. Must be senior status or graduate student. |
| High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) 801 W Michigan St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Linsey Nelson | Work with intelligence analysts that support local, state and federal investigators by researching public and law enforcement databases. Prepare intelligence reports and products. Conduct analysis and provide technology support. Students also have opportunities to interview investigators from local, state and federal agencies assigned to the HIDTA task forces, as well as state and federal prosecutors dedicated to drug enforcement efforts. Cover letter required and attach list of addresses resided within the past two years. See field project assistant for additional application. |
| U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) PO Box 1631 Milwaukee, WI 53201 | Charlie Wilcox | Students will shadow and assist special agents in various aspects of their investigations. Students will undertake assignments such as internal mail theft, official misconduct, mail fraud, special inquiries, healthcare fraud and contract fraud. Students will get hands-on experience in a law enforcement environment. Applications must be submitted to field placement assistant at least three months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. See field placement assistant for additional application form. Send completed applications to PO Box as well as email. |
| U.S. Probation/Pretrial Services 420 U.S. Courthouse 120 N Henry St Madison, WI 53703 | Rod Huebner | Students will attend court hearings, sit in on interviews, and accompany officers in the field. They will also be trained to do pretrial and pre-sentence investigations. Applications must be submitted to the field placement assistant at least six months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. |
| U.S. Probation Office 517 E Wisconsin Ave Room 001 Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Jennifer Morgan | Assist officers in maintaining a caseload; read and understand court documents; attend court hearings and understand courtroom etiquette; interpret criminal records; complete bail reports; monitor defendants released from custody; shadow probation officers while visiting local jails, re-entry centers and community treatment agencies; complete other special projects. See field placement assistant for additional application materials. Applications must be submitted to the field placement assistant at least six months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays for up to 10 hours each week (three plus hours per day in the office) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. |
| U.S. Secret Service 517 E Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Apply online Check for availability and look for openings in Region 2. | Candidates will be screened for prohibitive security related problems, sincerity of interest and academic achievement. Students should provide a synopsis of their educational background, work experience and career goals. Applications must be submitted to the field placement assistant at least six months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. |
| Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) 633 W Wisconsin Ave Room 803 Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Apply online | Interns work with special agents. Duties include interviewing citizens and witnesses, writing reports, conducting surveillance, assisting in the execution of search warrants, gathering intelligence, preparing case reports for prosecution, and working with the internet and financial crimes. Placements available for Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire and Appleton. Good analytic and communication skills. Training required in Madison. Must pass background check. Must have valid Wisconsin driver’s license. Cover letter required. Email field placement assistant resume and cover letter at least three to four months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. Please check with the field placement assistant for the exact due date of materials. |
| Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) U.S. Attorney’s Office 517 E Wisconsin Ave Room 530 Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Faith Coburn | Work within the victim and witness unit. Students required to pass FBI background check. Applications must be submitted to the field placement assistant at least six months prior to the semester in which the student would like to intern. Graduate students only. |
Research and Crime Intelligence Analysis
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Crime Commission PO Box 8021 Chicago, IL 60680 | Chicago Crime Commission 312-372-0101 | A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to combating crime. Interns gain a firsthand view of the criminal justice system and valuable insight into career opportunities within the criminal justice field. Projects include analyzing crime statistics, conducting research, conducting internet searches on criminal topics, and assisting with event planning and community network projects. Interns will also have the opportunity to tour various criminal justice agencies in and around Chicago. Summer only. Cover letter required. Apply online |
| High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) 801 W Michigan St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Linsey Nelson | Work with intelligence analysts that support local, state and federal investigators by researching public and law enforcement databases. Prepare intelligence reports and products. Conduct analysis and provide technology support. Students also have opportunities to interview investigators from local, state and federal agencies assigned to the HIDTA task forces, as well as state and federal prosecutors dedicated to drug enforcement efforts. Cover letter required and attach list of addresses resided within the past two years. See field project assistant for additional application. |
| Milwaukee Community Justice Council (CJC) 633 W Wisconsin Ave Suite 406 Milwaukee, WI 53203 | Kyla N Motz Legal Director | The CJC functions as an independent entity governed by key justice system leaders that is empowered to define broad justice system goals, monitor and analyze justice system performance, facilitate collaboration among justice system agencies, provide technical assistance and research, and act as a conduit between the justice system and the larger community. Duties include: attend CJC committee meetings, take and transcribe meeting minutes in a timely and highly accurate manner, provide staffing and support to the CJC committees – work varies by committee but may include research, subcommittee staffing, data entry, data analysis, production of work products, and community outreach, assisting the CJC director with special projects and ad hoc assignments, and maintaining and updating the CJC website and social media. Graduate students only. |
| Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit 821 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Tara Ferguson | The intelligence analyst intern will assist the district attorney intelligence analyst with conducting criminal investigations. Duties will include producing and organizing information gathered in a way that is useful to case development and the prosecution. The student has the advantage of learning the law enforcement support aspect of the job, as well as the judicial benefits of intelligence to the legal process. Interns will work with cell phone mapping technology, conduct link chart analysis, examine latent print readers, create queries for open source, and use other various software. |
| Milwaukee Police Department Intelligence Fusion Center (IFC) 749 W State St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Positions differ due to interests. Examples are Homicide Review Commission, research, community liaison officer, sensitive crime division, investigations bureau, district stations, crime analysis, forensics, neighborhood safe group, etc. See field placement assistant for additional application form. Email applications. | |
| Office of the Mayor 200 E Wells St Milwaukee, WI 53212 | Apply online | Mayoral interns work directly with the mayor and his staff in several key areas: research, communications, constituent relations and scheduling. This role includes interaction with the general public and serving as the voice of the mayor to his constituents. Interns also play a role in crafting and framing the message that his constituents receive. Positions are generally writing intensive and provide a chance to build a repertoire of writing samples. |
| Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission 200 E Wells St Suite 706 A Milwaukee, WI 53202 | Clifton Crump | The commission helps set overall policy for Milwaukee’s police and fire departments. From there, the chief of each department manages daily operations and implements the policy direction and goals based on what the commission has recommended. Students would assist in conducting this type of research and policy analysis. Students interested in this placement must have high levels of integrity and remain focused on issues associated with confidentiality. |
Private Security and Investigation Agencies
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forest County Potawatomi Gaming Commission Investigations Department 313 N 13th St Milwaukee, WI 53233 | Louis Arroyo | The primary role of the investigations department is to conduct investigations of violations of the Gaming Control Ordinance, federal, state and local laws and regulations, and various incidents that take place on gaming enterprise property that may affect tribal assets, risk and liability. Students will develop an understanding of why tribal, federal and state laws and regulations exist in the gaming industry, how they affect the internal controls and standard operating procedures, how they affect the department staff’s decisions and protocol, and how they affect the public. Throughout the program students will gain practical experience as a professional under conditions conducive to educational development. Interns will shadow each position in the department as well as perform projects under the close supervision of department staff. |
| Klement’s Sausage Manufacturer Security and Safety Department 207 E Lincoln Ave Milwaukee, WI 53207 | James Barden Safety Manager | Security officer position that monitors safety of employees, products and company. Performs inspections, reports irregularities (for example, fire, theft, damage), investigates security matters, and reports to safety manager and monthly committee meetings. Prefer clear driving and criminal background. Ability to read and write English. Ability to speak Spanish a plus. |
Medical Examiner Office
| Agency | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha County Medical Examiner 8600 Sheridan Rd Kenosha, WI 53143 | Jennifer Schroeter | The student will accompany both the chief deputy medical examiner and the deputy medical examiner during the course of the shift to fully understand the office procedures and operations. The student will observe and participate in death investigations (both telephone and scene cases), witness body examinations (external examinations and autopsies), and travel to area funeral homes to assist in pre-cremation viewings and follow up. Additionally, students will participate in report writing, data entry, and case photography as appropriate. See field placement assistant for additional application form. |
| Waukesha County Medical Examiner 515 W Moreland Blvd Waukesha, WI 53188 | Kristine Klenz | Accompany the deputy medical examiner with investigative duties as related to violent and unexplained deaths including responding to death scenes, writing reports, assisting with autopsies, evidence collection and photography, speaking with families, and interacting with other organizations. Students interested in the careers of forensics or lab work, or with interests in biology or chemistry should apply. |
Contact
Tom LeBel, PhD
Associate Professor
Field Placement Coordinator
lebel@uwm.edu
414-229-2356
Trinity Flint
Field Placement Project Assistant
teflint@uwm.edu
Criminal Justice Field Program
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
PO Box 786
Enderis Hall, Room 1125
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0786
Associate Professor
Field Placement Coordinator
lebel@uwm.edu
414-229-2356
Trinity Flint
Field Placement Project Assistant
teflint@uwm.edu
Criminal Justice Field Program
Helen Bader School of Social Welfare
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
PO Box 786
Enderis Hall, Room 1125
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0786
Field Placement Deadlines
Summer 2026
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Fall 2026
Friday, May 1, 2026