The Internship Program is a great opportunity for students who wish to experience the internal operations of a major police department before entering the competitive world of law enforcement. The Saint Paul Police Department offers a limited number of non-paying internships throughout the year which are open to college level students who wish to pursue a career in law enforcement and who must complete an internship as part of a law enforcement degree program.
SPPD works with each student to structure the internship based on each student intern’s area of interest, the academic requirements of their degree program, and the needs of department. Intern duties and responsibilities will vary from student to student, and may include some clerical duties. In addition, we will ascertain what type of skills and abilities the student has to offer in order to utilize them in a manner that benefits them as well as the Department.
Students wishing to apply must be 18 years old, and be currently enrolled in Criminal Justice or Criminology studies. Interns must complete all of their required hours to satisfy the internship requirements. Most important of all, students must agree to a criminal history record check. Each student must have a clear record in order to be eligible. Failure to comply with this requirement will be reason for no acceptance.
How to Apply:
To be considered for an internship with the Saint Paul Police Department, you should complete the following:
- Submit a request in writing to the Chief’s Office stating your interest with the Saint Paul Police Department to, SPPD 367 Grove Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.
- Submit a letter to the Community Partnership and Outreach Unit 367 Grove St, Saint Paul, MN 55101 from your school Advisor or Department Head stating that you are required to complete an internship for school credits. This letter should be written on letter head paper from your college and state how many hours are required to complete your internship.
- Be willing to submit to a background investigation. This process may take up to 3 months. Note* All students should apply 3-4 months prior to the desired start date.
- The Community Engagement Unit will call you to schedule an interview if you meet the criteria.
We have a limited amount of space so your acceptance will be based on qualifications and when you turn in your application. Please note that the maximum time allowed to complete your internship is 12 weeks and the minimum time is 120 hours.
Contact the Community Partnership and Outreach Unit for questions about the program at 651-266-5485.
