Jasmine Ditterline ’21: Crime Analyst for NYPD & Beyond
Degree: B.A. in International Criminal Justice
Minor: Cybercrime
Current Job Role: Crime Analyst, Gaithersburg Police Department (Maryland)
Mentor: Adjunct Professor Guido Giordano
Internship: Vulnerability Analyst Intern, End-to-End Computing, Alexandria, VA
Program: Nassau County Police Department Explorers
Hometown: Manhattan (Lower East Side), NY
Career Aspiration: Law Enforcement Agency
What was life like growing up before John Jay?
I grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Growing up, I stayed in touch with my Puerto Rican roots by visiting the island every summer. I was also very independent and super disciplined. My mom would walk with me in the mornings, then go into the subway to take the train to work, while I took the bus and train to school. When you’re taking public transportation on your own at such a young age, you learn to be vigilant, to be aware of your surroundings, and how to react quickly to unexpected things. My friends always said I was like the mom of the group because I was so responsible. It made me care for the community and drove my desire to protect people.
What inspired you to embark on a career in law enforcement?
By nature, I’ve always been an advocate. My mom also pushed me to be involved in the community and to speak up for others. So, when the Nassau County Police Department visited my high school, and spoke to us about the Nassau County Police Department Explores program, I knew it was an opportunity I wanted to take. I’m so glad I did.
The Explorers program made me want to work in law enforcement. It was such a rewarding experience. Through the program, I gained leadership skills, enhanced my communication abilities, and gained hands-on learning experience—in a safe, controlled environment—on crime scene investigations, threat response, hostage negotiations, crisis intervention, and arrest techniques. It’s also where I first learned about the importance of community and police relations, and how they lead to positive changes in public safety, fostering community awareness and crime-prevention initiatives.
Why John Jay?
After completing the Explorers program, I knew I wanted to attend a college with a rich history in law enforcement. When I looked into John Jay, I really appreciated the College’s history, its role in advancing justice, and its legacy of producing leaders in law enforcement. At John Jay, I knew I would be exposed to the different opportunities a law enforcement career can offer and get the best criminal justice education, and I was excited by that prospect. I also loved the school’s diversity. Being a proud Puerto Rican from the Lower East Side, John Jay felt a lot like home.
How did your mentors put you on the path to success?
I took an environmental crime course with Professor Giordano that I did well in. After the course concluded for the semester, he invited me to take part in a research project he was doing on the trafficking and endangerment of jaguars. Getting to conduct research, read stats, and find sources was so exciting. I love learning, taking what we examine through the research, condensing that information, and sharing it with others. Professor Giordano hoped to make the research a foundation for a textbook for future students, so getting to be part of that process was awesome. Later, when I was applying for the job I currently have, Professor Giordano was more than happy to be a reference for me.
Joanna Baranello ’20 was also a huge help. I knew I didn’t want to be an officer. I didn’t want to carry a gun, be out on the street arresting people, or ever see a dead body. So, for a while, I was sort of lost as to what I could do in law enforcement. Then I read an article about Joanna on the John Jay website. It changed everything for me. After reading her article, I spoke with her, and I realized that a law enforcement career didn’t necessarily mean you needed to hold a gun and be on patrol; you could help the community and keep them safe by doing crime analysis. Connecting with her opened a world of possibilities for me.
What was it like working as a crime analyst for the NYPD?
Getting to work for the NYPD—the largest municipal law enforcement in the country—was a profound learning experience. One of the great things about the department is that there are many work opportunities available that don’t involve attending the police academy or becoming a police officer.
With the NYPD, I was a Civilian Crime Analyst with the 115th Precinct in Jackson Heights, Queens. While there, I immersed myself in analytics, data, and software to advance public safety efforts. I created intel distribution packages and detailed reports on crime trends, arrest reports, and emerging public safety threats across the community. This information would not only go to law enforcement but also help inform the public. I also collaborated with detectives and investigators to provide analytics for ongoing criminal investigations, which allowed me to work closely with units across the agency. Because it was such a high-pressure environment, I learned to work quickly and efficiently, and to really trust my work product.
What made you want to be a crime analyst with the Gaithersburg Police Department?
I’ve always known that the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) was where I would end up in my career. It’s a great law enforcement hub at both the federal and local levels. When I decided to leave New York for Maryland, I reached out to Joanna, who had moved to Virginia to work for the Fairfax County government a few years earlier. We met for coffee, and she told me how rewarding it is to work for a smaller organization. That really appealed to me. So, when the opportunity to work with the Gaithersburg Police Department became available, I jumped at the chance.
When I joined the department, I learned I would be replacing the previous crime analyst who was retiring after nearly two decades with the department. She stayed with me for a month, teaching me the ropes and sharing her insight on the community. I’m so grateful to her because she helped me immerse myself in the department’s culture and get my bearings.
What is your work like as a crime analyst for the Gaithersburg Police Department?
I’m the sole crime analyst in the department, and while that can feel a little daunting, it’s also incredibly rewarding. In my role, I’ve helped design and maintain the department’s analytical processes and reporting systems. I also develop and distribute daily, monthly, and annual reports on crime trends, hotspots, public safety risks, and emerging crime patterns. The analysis I’m providing helps support the department’s leadership in making data-driven decisions and enhancing crime prevention and reduction efforts.
What I love most about my job is how tight-knit this department is and how leadership make themselves available to the department’s members. That’s something I really appreciate. Having face time with leadership, sharing my thoughts with them, collaborating across departments, going over the data I’m providing, and feeling genuinely appreciated for the work I do to help keep the city safe. I’m so proud to work for the Gaithersburg Police Department.
What advice would you give students hoping to work in law enforcement?
Apply for internships across the law enforcement field and try to get a feel for what it is you like. Once you do, pursue that path. If you read about alumni who are doing the work you want to do, reach out to them and ask questions. When applying to jobs, cast your net wide, apply in other states, and keep your options open.
Career-wise, where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to still be working with the Gaithersburg Police Department. I love this community. I also want to still be learning, so I see myself furthering my education and expanding my knowledge in the field. If all goes according to plan, 10 years from now, I will have earned another degree or an advanced certificate. I want to continue to get better, bringing innovation to our department, and keep our community safe.
