2026 Police Fall Intern

Job Description

Internships are offered in two capacities: Overview and Specialized.

Overview internships will provide students with a general orientation to policing and the operation of the Raleigh Police Department. The overview internship consists of an 120 hour program (depending upon the academic requirements of the college or university), providing them a chance to experience every facet of the department.

Specialized internships are offered to students on a limited basis to a specific working unit, such as Planning, Social Worker, or the Detective Division. Students requiring more than 220 hours per internship will be classified as a Specialized Intern.

To be considered for either the Overview or Specialized internship, the student’s academic advisor or professor must provide a written recommendation. The program must be completed by the end of the academic calendar established by the college or university. The Internship Coordinator will determine which internship the student may be considered for.

Duties and Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Each intern will be scheduled ride-a-long assignments in various divisions throughout the department (Field Operations, Investigations, Special Operations, Wake County Court, Police Records, Public Information Office)

• Take detailed notes of their experiences

• Use observation and critical thinking skills to assess situations
• As part of the internship program, the student will be required to give an oral presentation about what they experienced and learned throughout their internship. This presentation will be given to the Command Staff after the completion of all assignments within the internship

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The student must be enrolled at a four-year degree, accredited institution of higher education and be majoring in a criminal justice, criminology, or related field. The internship must be a requirement for their degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:
The student must be enrolled at either a four- year accredited institution of higher education, advanced undergraduate program, or graduate program and must be majoring in a criminal justice, criminology, or related field with the intention of joining the Raleigh Police Department upon completion of the internship program.

Additional Information

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Light Work:
Exerting up to twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to ten pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions:
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions; activities occur inside and outside.