Kade Diane ’26: NYPD Auxiliary Officer + Internships = Future Detective
Major: B.S. in Criminal Justice Management
Certificate: Dispute Resolution
Programs: APPLE Corps; APPLE Corps Peer Advisor; External Affairs Ambassador
Mentor: Natalie Jordan, APPLE Corps Senior Academic Advisor; Shanina Jones ’23
Internships: Civilian Complaint Review Board, Mediation Intern; Kings County Supreme Court, Judicial Intern; Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Social Work Intern; External Affairs Ambassador; Hostos Community College/The Bronx Defenders, Internship Coordinator
Current Job Role: NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer, 19th Precinct
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Career Aspiration: Detective Investigator
What was life like before John Jay?
Both of my parents came to this country as immigrants from the Republic of Guinea, in West Africa. In Guinea, speaking multiple languages is the norm. So, while I was raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn and spoke English, influences from Guinea weren’t far behind. From the food to traditions, I grew up learning about my culture, including different languages. Currently, I am fluent in three.
Growing up, my parents were always focused on my education. They did their best to advocate on my behalf, ensuring I got into schools that would put me on the path to success. When I was in a low-performing zoned school, my mom spoke with staff to learn what my options were for advancement and made sure I got into one of the best middle schools in the borough. There, I saw my reading, writing, and literacy skills improve greatly, and I credit that school with getting me ready for John Jay.
Why John Jay?
I’ve always been fascinated by criminal justice—why people commit criminal acts, how law enforcement solves cases, and ultimately how the criminal justice system works. Like many, I would watch crime shows on TV, but I also saw people from my neighborhood become system impacted. I always wondered, what if someone had stepped in early in their life to redirect them toward something more positive? I think seeing what was happening in my neighborhood instilled in me a desire to be the person who can step in, advocate, and point people in the right direction for a better, more successful life.
When I was looking at colleges, John Jay College of Criminal Justice stood out to me because it encompassed all the things I was interested in—accountability, integrity, early intervention, criminal justice education, and engagement with stakeholders at the policy and community level. Coming to John Jay, I knew I would get the best justice-focused education. I also knew that I would be connecting to a network that was dedicated to public service, and that I would be learning from professors who were active professionals in criminal justice. Knowing that as a student I would be tapping into a community focused on advancing justice in all its forms made me excited to come to John Jay.
What sparked your passion for justice-focused issues?
At an early age, I realized there were so many inequities and injustices happening around me. I saw it in my neighborhood, peers going down the path of deviancy. I also saw in school how a lack of accountability could lead to leaders abusing the system.
In elementary school, I saw how administrators mismanaging funds negatively impacted student success. Our books were outdated and in bad condition; our teachers didn’t have the equipment they needed to teach us; and students didn’t have the essential supplies, like new workbooks, to learn. When a new student transferred into my fifth-grade class, he mentioned that his previous school had the latest edition of the Go Math! books. We were using old, broken editions. A year later, we learned through the news, that the school principal had taken funds meant for student programs and supplies, for her own personal use. Here we were in a school filled with low-income students, and she was mismanaging funds, lessening our chances for success. Knowing that lit a fire in me. It inspired me to pursue a career in investigations because I want to hold offenders accountable and serve my community.
How has APPLE Corps enhanced your John Jay experience?
As a student, APPLE Corps helped me connect with industry professionals and readied me for the career world. I came to John Jay with nothing—no resume, no work experience, no interview skills. The APPLE Corps staff completely set me up to win. They helped me find internship opportunities, taught me interview skills, built my resume, and sent me to events, like the International Black Security Executive Conference, where I could network and meet industry professionals. They opened a world of possibilities for me that I never knew existed.
The APPLE Corps staff were also instrumental in helping me narrow what I want my career to look like. Through one-on-one conversations with Natalie Jordan, we discussed what I could do with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management, as well as the possible avenues I could pursue for graduate degrees, such as an MPA program. APPLE Corps’ internships specialist Muldy Flecher helped me shape my resume to highlight the work I’ve done and my passions, so I could land the best internships. And Claire Sternberg, APPLE Corps’ service-learning specialist, helped me connect with leadership and service-learning opportunities that would enable me to give back to communities. They each made my John Jay experience so much richer.
What were your internship experiences like?
I’m currently interning at the Civilian Complaint Review Board. My duties include reviewing body-worn camera footage from NYPD officers and cross-referencing it with New York Penal Law and the patrol guide to ensure no violations occurred or to determine whether the officer needs mediation. Through this work, I’ve learned more about New York State law and investigations, and I gained a better understanding of the relationship between the community and police. I also see how important restorative justice is and how it can impact a community.
During my internship at the Kings County Supreme Court, I worked as a judicial intern for Judge Sharon Clarke. I spent most of my time in family court, but I also had the chance to attend criminal court hearings. Watching the justice system in action was exciting. I saw how law clerks, court officers, and judges all play a part in keeping the system moving forward. One of the best parts of that internship was working closely with Judge Clarke. She helped demystify the work judges do and made it feel accessible. She talked about how she is always learning and growing her knowledge of the law. Seeing her in her chambers and in court, and then seeing her attend educational events and trainings to stay up to date with the law, reminded me how much work, sacrifice, and passion it takes to ensure justice is served.
At Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, where I worked as a social work intern, I learned all about alternative sentencing programs. I worked directly with case managers, shadowing them during client referral sessions. My role was to support case managers in identifying resources for housing and food security, as well as other programs that would support the client’s success. Getting to help people reenter society with supports in place—a job, access to food, housing—made me feel like I was helping redirect someone toward a better outcome in life.
What did you do and learn as an External Affairs Ambassador?
I met Alexa Barisano, External Affairs Coordinator, at the Involvement Fair during the Weeks of Welcome celebration. She told me about the ambassador program and how it would deepen my commitment to civic engagement.
As an ambassador, I helped with events featuring public figures, from judges like the Honorable Joseph Zayas to elected officials like New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie and current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
I would welcome the speaker to John Jay and escort them to the event space. It was during these walks that I would have a chance to speak with them about John Jay and my career aspirations. So many of these public figures were kind, attentive, and open to providing career advice.
That’s one of the great things about being an External Affairs ambassador, you’re encouraged to connect with these important people, even after the event. Mindy Bockstein, the Executive Director of External Affairs, really pushed me to interact with panelists and keynote speakers. She always wanted to see my growth. As an ambassador, I saw my network grow, my communication skills expand, and my confidence flourish as I engaged with leaders. It was an amazing experience.
What was the most exciting experience you had as an External Affairs Ambassador?
It was definitely the 2025 Mayoral Debate held at John Jay. I had the opportunity to interact with all the candidates who were present for the debate and work behind the scenes. It was fun to see the candidates prepping before the event, sharing light-hearted moments with each other, and then in action on the debate stage. I had the chance to speak with New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, who was really supportive of John Jay students and encouraging of my career goals. Talking with the candidates’ security guards was also a highlight. Learning about their career journeys and how they ended up working with their specific candidate was intriguing. I’m so grateful I got to be part of that night.
What are your plans after commencement?
I’ll continue to work as an NYPD Auxiliary Officer in the 19th Precinct. Over the next year, I plan to apply to MPA graduate programs. My hope is to earn my MPA and work as an international fraud examiner, where I’ll be able to use my language and investigative skills to hold individuals who have committed financial crimes accountable on a global level.
