Police Intern

Provides qualified students with practical work experience that compliments their academic course work, as well as course credit. It also provides the Durango Police Department with an opportunity to involve college students in various aspects of police work.

Application deadline for the 2024 Spring semester is December 11, 2023.  

This is an unpaid internship which grants college coursework credit.

The internship begins January 15, 2024 and will end April 12, 2024.

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Perform
• Operate

Position Summary: 

The College Student Internship provides qualified students with practical work experience that compliments their academic course work, as well as course credit (if approved by the college or university). It also provides the Durango Police Department with an opportunity to involve college students in various aspects of police work. The College Student Internship is designed to provide students with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. The internship is an unpaid, non-sworn position that varies from 8 hours to 24 hours per week, as agreed by the Police Department, Intern and college/university (if applicable). Students can gain valuable work experience, on-the-job training, and have an opportunity to develop a professional networking base for the future positions in government service or law enforcement. All the requirements must be agreed to by the Durango Police Department, the intern applicant, and the college/university (if applicable) before the internship starts.

 

Major Duties and Required Technical Skills:

Specific areas where interns may be assigned include the Records Department, Detective Bureau, Court Liaison Function, Emergency Communication Center, Police Operations and Police Administration. However, through observance of sit-a-longs, ride-a-longs, and tours, interns may also be exposed to more aspects of the Department and its operations. Project assignments may include assistance with gathering survey data, assisting with data entry, gathering research to complete projects as required for classwork, involved with shadowing case follow-up, reporting about observance of community outreach efforts, learning about social media development and assistance. The intern assignments will vary and are designed to allow students the experience of the daily operations within a law enforcement agency and to also assist the Durango Police Department. Interns must be detail oriented, organized, ability to complete projects within timelines and under minimal supervision, and proficient in Microsoft office, research methods, and technical writing. Interns are expected to keep a journal of activities to aid the in-evaluation process. The progress and oversight of individual interns is monitored by Police Chief or his designee and may periodically report to the college/university to which the intern belongs.

Supervision Received:

The intern will be supervised by a command officer in the police department, who will organize assignments and tasks to be completed by the intern. Oversight of various tasks assigned to the intern may be delegated to other sworn or civilian Police Department personnel.

 Supervision Exercised: None 

Training Received:

Intern will receive training in the department records and computer systems, public records law, privacy and confidential concerns, the court/judicial process, investigative and operational procedures, and research methodologies.

 Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this internship, the intern is frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands and fingers, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The Intern is occasionally required to walk. The Intern must be capable of occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus, with or without corrective lenses.

 Work Environment:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

The minimum qualifications for an internship with the Durango Police Department are as follows: 

1. Age 18 or above.
2. US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
3. Currently enrolled in a college or university, in good standing
4. Be able to work a minimum of eight hours up to 20 hours per week.
5. Has sufficient health insurance coverage.
6. Ability to pass a background investigation with no felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories

As agreed by the Department, internships will generally run for one semester, either fall or spring. 

If selected for an interview, applicants will be required to provide the following:

1. Government issued photo identification card.
2. Unofficial, copy of college transcript(s).
3. Resume

A background investigator will schedule an interview with candidates passing the initial interview.  Candidates must successfully pass a background investigation and complete and sign an Authorize for the Release of Information Form from references and previous employers.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the intern and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.