Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure		Effective Date: 05/18/2021
	Policy Number: PP-6017 Student Intern Program

1. The Training Unit Sergeant will be responsible for the coordination of the Student Intern Program.

2. The applicant generally, must be a junior or senior level student in good standing, currently enrolled in an accredited 4-year college or university, and not currently working as a police officer. 

3. The student's course of study can be in any field.

4. Prior to submitting the application, the prospective intern shall be fingerprinted for a records check.  Fingerprint cards shall be furnished by Lakewood Police Department for completion.

5. The application shall contain the completed LPD fingerprint cards, personal data, a recommendation and/or school program requirements from the applicant’s school advisor.

6. The Training Unit Sergeant shall review the qualifications of each applicant and forward those recommended applications to the Professional Standards Section Commander for approval.

7. The Professional Standards Commander shall review the candidate's qualifications, staff recommendations, and comments. The chief of police may approve a prospective candidate eighteen years of age or older at his/her discretion. The commander shall then finalize the department response to the candidate's application.

8. Each candidate who qualifies for the final selection review shall be notified by letter of the results of his/her application and the course advisor shall be notified of the results, as well.  Successful candidates shall be advised of the dates of their internship.

9. Because the intern program is primarily for in-state students, it shall be the decision of the Professional Standards Commander whether to accept any out-of-state requests to place students in the intern program.

1. The student intern may receive compensation from the Police Department during the internship.

2. Internships shall generally be of no more than 4 months duration.  Time spent with the department shall be that amount of time required by the intern's educational institution so that minimum grade requirements are met by the intern.

3. Interns may be assigned to individual projects or be assigned on a rotational basis to each division in the department.  The Training Unit will coordinate the schedule.

4. There shall be no more than 2 interns at the department at any one time. 

5. Student interns shall be under the direction of the Training Unit.

6. The intern shall become familiar with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and department policies and procedures.  Any serious violation of the code shall result in the intern's immediate termination from the program.

7. Male student interns shall dress in appropriate business apparel unless otherwise advised.  Females shall wear apparel appropriate for working in an office environment.

8. Interns shall report promptly according to the schedule provided them by the Professional Standards Section.  When the intern cannot meet the schedule, prompt notification shall be made to the Professional Standards Section and shall include the reasons for tardiness or absence.

9. Interns shall be issued a picture identification card which will have "intern" stamped across the front.  The identification card shall be worn while the intern is on duty with the department.  When the intern period is over, the intern shall return the identification card to the Training Unit sergeant for destruction.

10. At the conclusion of the internship, a final report of the experience shall be provided to the Training Unit and forwarded to the intern's college.  Another copy shall be given to the intern and the Professional Standards Section shall retain the original.