"Interning" At a Police Department

[Brinksta]

Do most departments offer to let people intern for them?
What are the usually duties and will it help me get a job for that department in the future?
-GH

[mcsap]

We ONLY do so through local colleges.

It wouldnt help because we are civil service which requires the full range of tests that EVERYONE has to go through. Even an officer from another PD has to take the same tests / interviews that you would.

[retdetsgt]

Our interns are generally disappointed at what they get to do. Due to liability issues, it's mostly inside stuff, perhaps doing data entry or something like that. Pretty much a waste of time for them, IMO.

It might help you a little when you take the test, particularly the oral board because you will have a better idea of the mindset of cops at that department. Other than that, no.

[Curt581]

What are the usually duties and will it help me get a job for that department in the future?

Watch this brief instructional video for more information:

[Kimble]

Our interns are generally disappointed at what they get to do. Due to liability issues, it's mostly inside stuff, perhaps doing data entry or something like that. Pretty much a waste of time for them, IMO.

It might help you a little when you take the test, particularly the oral board because you will have a better idea of the mindset of cops at that department. Other than that, no.

I was an intern with 2 agencies in college, and what retdetsgt lists above is spot-on. Lots of clerical work, like making copies, typing letters for people to sign, inputing info into a database, filing papers in file cabinets, etc. I did have a couple opportunties to do some stuff I thought was cool at the time (went on a search warrant with detectives once, went on some ride alongs with patrol, and a few other things), but don't count on it being super exciting, because it very likely will not be. That video Curt posted is funny because it's pretty accurate (though don't count on going out with Homicide to see a dead body)!

Glad I did it though, it helped me get my first LEO job with my first department.

[greg72982]

Watch this brief instructional video for more information:

lmao...can't rep.

[retdetsgt]

The rules that kept interns from doing much at my department came from the chief's office, not us. For whatever reason, they were afraid of the liability. Which I thought was odd because citizens doing ride alongs were subjected to more danger than interns in detectives. I would have happily taken them out on interviews now and then, but it was a no no.

[Safety Steve]

I have not met any college interns. Our interns are people that have been accepted to the DPS academy and are waiting for it to start. They get paid recruit pay as interns. They get issued a vest and three or four nice polo shirts. They spend time with most divisions of DPS. It's a good program as it lets them see first hand what will be expected of them and what other branches of DPS are available.

I send them to get me my coffee and donuts! I have to keep my Officer type figure! lol.


Be Safe.