IUPD creates student opportunities

Beyond the critical work of keeping our university campuses safe, the IU Police Department also creates opportunities for students and strengthens IU’s connections to Indiana communities across our state. 
 
Over the weekend, Madelyn Smigla from the School of Science at IUPUI graduated as the IUPD's first intern in the Digital Forensics Unit, a partnership between the IUPD and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Students in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering are also able to earn credit hours through the internship program.

The Digital Forensics Unit assisted with more than 350 cases in the last year, during which time Madelyn received hands-on experience processing evidence found on devices like cell phones, computers, and smartwatches. In addition to supporting her career goals, the internship experience has been essential in prosecuting felony-level crimes in Marion County, including a jury reaching a guilty verdict in an Indianapolis murder and armed robbery case. 

The IUPD aims to create similar relationships with academic units at IU Bloomington to grow an internship program in its High Tech Crime Unit, a partnership with the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office and law enforcement agencies across a ten-county region surrounding Bloomington. 
 
These programs advance our IU 2030 pillars of student success and service to the state of Indiana in truly meaningful ways. This week is National Police Week, and I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the important work of our IUPD and expressing gratitude for their tireless efforts to ensure the well-being of the IU community every day.

Pamela Whitten

President
Indiana University