Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008
A group of 18 ¾¨Ó㴫ý students and three alternates learned the secrets of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division during the daylong, hands-on "¾¨Ó㴫ý Project" April 16.
The ¾¨Ó㴫ý students received intensive training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McKelvey Campus Center on interviewing subjects and witnesses, surveillance techniques, analysis of documents and financial records, writing affidavits for search and arrest warrants, as well as being part of an undercover investigation. A firearms simulator machine was set up in the ¾¨Ó㴫ý television studio to provide participants with realistic deadly force situations.
Teams of ¾¨Ó㴫ý students were matched up with three IRS special agents throughout the day. Scenarios took place from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 - 4 p.m. A debriefing and graduation ceremony was held at 4 p.m. in the Campus Center's Witherspoon Room.Â
"It was an exciting day on campus when the Career Center coordinated a role-playing exercise with the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service," said Jackie Meade, ¾¨Ó㴫ý Career Center director. "Those who participated, as well as the students and faculty who were observers, gained a better understanding of the careers available in government, and with the IRS in particular."
"We heard more than one student comment they are re-thinking some of their career plans as a result of this experience," Meade added. "The Career Center couldn't ask for a better testimonial for this program."
"¾¨Ó㴫ý has been an excellent partner with this program and we look forward to working with them in the future," said Andrew Hromoko Jr., special agent and public information officer for the Department of Treasury IRS Criminal Investigation unit.
Contact Meade at (724) 946-7343 or e-mail meadelb@westminster.edu for additional information.Â
