The Intern Journal: Albany Police Department

Occasionally, Krystal Caceres '26 (above, 2nd from right) would report to her internship site at midnight to begin a four-hour shift. The hours weren't ideal, but the public needs protecting, even when it's mostly sleeping.

"That's the job: to keep everything controlled and safe. Sometimes we were just patrolling. But sometimes it would get intense and I'd be told to stay in the car until it was clear to get out."

Ride alongs are part of the on-the-job training with the Albany Police Department. Sitting shotgun in the patrol car is the truest glimpse into the job of an officer, and it's a time when interns who think they want to be cops find out for sure. Sometimes, in the dark of night, they'd respond to burglaries or shots fired. In those moments, an instinct since middle school was confirmed: this is the job Caceres was meant to do.

"I remember looking around and not seeing many women on the police force. I just always had this desire to change the world and be that role model."

Caceres, a criminal justice studies major, grew up in the Bronx. One of her high school teachers recommended Siena.

"She said I would love it and I do."

The internship has exceeded expectations as well. In fact, Caceres had the chance to learn from a female officer, who's just a few years further along the same path.

"She's pretty new to the force, and wanting more representation of women was one of her reasons too. She told me to just go with my heart and follow my dreams. Don't listen to people who say you can't. I took her idea, and I'm just going to keep going."

Caceres has already passed the exam to enlist in the Albany Police Academy. That's an option, but she's also considering the force back in the Bronx. Either way, she's got a specific idea in mind.
"When I was younger, I played flag football and the league was supervised by police officers. They were the coaches. It was so cool interacting with them as a kid. I really like spending time with kids too. That's really what I want to do in my career. I want to be able to help my community and have the chance to support and inspire kids."