GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PERSONNEL
TITLE: STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
Embedded Files
STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
1025.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
To establish a program that will allow selected students from recognized colleges and universities, who are pursuing a degree in the field of Criminal Justice, to experience and observe the day-to-day operations and functions of the Lincoln Police Department.
1025.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Student Intern - A student enrolled in a recognized college, university seeking a cooperative working experience with the Lincoln Police Department as part of a credit-bearing college course.Internship Coordinator - The supervisor from Training, Development, and Review as designated by the Chief of Police.Field Training Officer - An experienced police officer trained in the art of supervising, training, and evaluating entry level and lateral police officers in the application of their previously acquired knowledge and skills.
1025.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to foster and encourage academic and career interest in law enforcement-related careers. Formal interaction, acceptable by both the affected student and the Police Department, can be advantageous to both the community and potential placement as prospective employees.
1025.3 INTERN APPLICATION PROCEDURES
(a) Students desiring to perform intern duties with the Lincoln Police Department shall have their college or university professor or department head write a letter of recommendation and forward it to the Internship Coordinator requesting the named student be considered for the internship program. All applications should provide the name, address, and telephone number of the professor who is to receive comments and evaluations concerning the student.
The written request shall be sent to the Internship Coordinator at least 45 days prior to the beginning of the semester in which the internship will commence.
(b) Due to the demands of the Department, the length of an internship shall not exceed 120 contact hours for each student.
(c) The Department shall only accept two (2) student interns per semester.
LPD Intern Application
Student Intern Non-Disclosure Confidentiality Agreement
Student Internship Program Liability Waiver and Release Agreement
1025.4 ELIGIBILITY
(a) In order to participate in the Lincoln Police Department Internship Program, the student must meet the following criteria:
Minimum of 18 years old;
Be enrolled in an accredited college or university;
Be a Junior or Senior in the college/university that they are enrolled in;
Present a letter of intent from the college/university that they are eligible to enroll in an internship program;
Be in good academic standing;
Meet all the goals and objectives and work/credit requirements mandated by the institution;
Be of good moral character;
Accurately and truthfully complete all applicable applications and forms, including signing the Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreement and the Liability Waiver Form.
Successfully pass a background investigation.
(b) Any deviation from these procedures requires the authorization of the Chief of Police or his designee.
1025.5 INTERNSHIP COORDINATORS RESPONSIBILITY
The Internship Coordinator or a designee is responsible for coordinating the Intern Program. The coordinator will work with the educational institution to help the enrolled student complete their internship required for graduation. The coordinator will complete the following procedures:
(a) Confirm the requirements of the internship program with the affected institution by obtaining a letter of recommendation from the institution's Department head or Professor in said college or university;
(b) Arrange for the Intern to complete an "Internship Applicant Packet" and provide a copy of his/her driver's license or other positive identification. Process the LPD Intern Application, Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreement, Liability Waiver, and complete background investigation;
(c) Conduct an agency orientation with the Intern;
(d) Monitor the Intern's progress throughout their internship.
(e) Send a summary of the Intern's activities and daily evaluations to the educational institution only upon request from the educational institution.
1025.6 RULES OF CONDUCT
(a) All though student interns are not employees of the Lincoln Police Department, their conduct while enrolled in the internship program is governed by all departmental policies and procedures.
(b) Student Interns shall not congregate at the department when off duty.
(c) All student interns will take direction from any employee assigned to them and follow all directives in accordance with departmental policy.
1025.7 APPEARANCE
(a) The student intern shall wear business casual attire (Polo and Khakis or Button Down Shirt and Slacks). Tennis shoes or open-toed shoes will not be accepted as approved footwear. The Internship Coordinator has the authority to approve exceptions to the dress code if it is due to any special needs of the student intern.
(b) All student interns shall wear the department-approved Student Intern identification lanyard clearly visible on their person at all times while inside the police department, in a department patrol vehicle, and/or out of the patrol vehicle with an officer.
(c) The department-approved Student Intern identification lanyard will be picked up at the beginning of the Intern's shift and turned in at the end of the Intern's shift.
(d) The department-approved Student Intern identification lanyard will never be taken home by the Intern.
1025.8 ASSIGNMENTS
(a) The Internship Coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating and scheduling all intern activities within the police department.
(b) Student interns shall report to their assigned duty for the day according to a predetermined schedule.
(c) Student interns may be reassigned by the Internship Coordinator to work on special projects as needed.
(d) For an absence to be excused, the student intern must notify both the Internship Coordinator and the on-duty supervisor prior to the start of their shift.
1025.9 RIDE ALONGS
(a) The department will permit student interns to ride with on-duty officers in patrol vehicles during the course of the internship program.
Student interns will be assigned to field-training officers when available or applicable.
(a) If a field-training officer is unavailable, student Interns shall be assigned to non-probationary senior officers only.
Student interns will be limited to 6 hours per shift.
Field Training Officers/non-probationary senior officers that are assigned a Student intern will not participate in vehicle pursuits.
Student interns will not be allowed to carry any type of weapon.
Student interns may not use cameras and/or recording equipment (including cell phones) during a ride-along or at any other time while on duty.
Student interns are subject to subpoena to testify as witnesses.
Student interns may not interfere in any way with an officer's performance of duty. However, student interns will be required to assist an officer upon request and only under extreme emergency circumstances. A written report will be required to be made if an officer requires the assistants of a Student intern during such said extreme emergency circumstance.
The student intern is an observer only and will not, in any way, become involved in any situation except as required by the preceding paragraph.
Student interns will be allowed to observe as much of any situation as possible consistent with preserving their safety and protecting the rights of those involved. If the officer believes there may be safety concerns, he has the right to deny the student Intern access to any scene.
Student interns will be allowed to exit the Department vehicle on a call for service at the decision of the officer.
1025.10 WRITTEN REPORTS
(a) Any Interns that need to document their experience as part of their educational requirements.
Reports shall be turned into the Internship Coordinator on the Monday following the reported week for review and approval.
Any written report requiring modifications shall be returned corrected to the Internship Coordinator within three (3) working days.
Only information considered "public record" will be included in any report provided by a student intern.
The Internship Coordinator must approve any report prior to dissemination outside the department.
1025.11 UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
Unsatisfactory Student Intern performance is as follows, but not limited to:
(a) Not following FTO or other Police Department Officers' directions.
(b) Any violation of the Non-Disclosure/Confidentiality Agreement.
(c) Any part of the rules of conduct in this policy.
1025.11.1 DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
(a) The disciplinary process for student interns may range from verbal counseling sessions to termination from the program.
(b) If a student intern is verbally counseled, the college/university representative responsible for the student's internship may be contacted based on the nature of the counseling session.
(c) If a student intern is terminated from the program, written notification will be given to the student as well as the college/university representative responsible for the student's internship.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse