Downers Grove, IL – Police Intern

Village of Downers Grove 

JOB OPPORTUNITY 

Police Intern 

The Village of Downers Grove is seeking a qualified applicant to fill the Police Department’s Intern position. This unpaid opportunity is for students seeking a degree in law enforcement from an accredited two-year community college or four-year university who wish to gain experience in the law enforcement field. Interns are under the supervision of the Internship Coordinator and are assigned to a police department sworn or non-sworn employee daily, as a ride-along/observer.

Application – Selection 

Institution Eligibility

1. Generally, the Department will agree to cooperate and participate in an Internship Program that is sponsored by an accredited college or university that provides a criminal justice academic program.

2. The Department will accept a maximum of one (1) intern into the Internship Program at a time.

3. Preference will be given to colleges that have specific criminal justice academic programs.

Individual Eligibility 

1. Individuals who are at least 18 years of age and meet the following requirements are eligible to participate in the Internship Program.

2. Students must be enrolled and actively attending a Criminal Justice Academic Program in the final year of either a two-year or four-year college or university.

A student who is applying to participate in the Department’s Internship Program shall be required to submit:

a. Completed Internship Application

b. A letter stating reasons for wanting to participate in the Program

c. Completed signed release and waiver of liability

d. Copy of IL Driver’s License

e. Proof of Health Insurance / Liability Insurance Coverage

Oral Interview

a. Upon receipt of the Intern’s application and other required documentation, the Chief of Police or his designee shall arrange for a personal interview with the applicant.

b. The purpose of the interview shall be as follows:

c. Determine the applicant’s training needs.

d. Determine the applicant’s interest in law enforcement.

e. Assess the applicant’s capabilities for performing under the circumstances of the Internship assignment.

Background Check

A background check will be conducted to determine if there is any reason an applicant may not participate in the program. Information discovered during the background check that may bring discredit to the department will disqualify an applicant. This includes but is not limited to any arrest, conviction, or negative police contact.

Acceptance

a. The Chief of Police shall make the final decision on the acceptance of an applicant into the Internship Program.

b. A written letter of acceptance shall be provided to the institution and individual, specifying the agreed length of the internship and the starting date of the program.

Conduct & Dress Code 

1. All students participating in the Internship Program are required to comply with the Village Policies, Department Rules and Regulations, General Orders, and Standard Operating Procedures.

2. The Chief of Police may summarily terminate a student from the Internship Program at any time for violation of any of the rules governing the program or the above-cited directives.

Internship Rules of Conduct

a. During the course of Department business, the student will act as an interested observer, unless instructed by Department personnel otherwise.

b. Students will not divulge to anyone not affiliated with the training agency any official information learned while assigned to that agency.

c. At no time will any student represent himself or herself as a member of the Downers Grove Police Department or as a police officer.

d. Students will not take it upon themselves to conduct separate investigations of any official matters after duty hours or while on duty unless specifically instructed to do so by the Internship Coordinator or a Shift Supervisor.

e. Under no circumstances will any student carry on their person, in their luggage, or in their car, any handgun, blackjack, baton, Taser, or chemical weapon while on duty.

f. Students may not use a cellular telephone or any type of social media device while observing police activities in the field or while inside the police department.

g. Violation of these rules will result in immediate termination from the program.

Dress and Appearance

a. Generally, students shall dress in appropriate casual business attire. Denim jeans will not be acceptable. Exceptions to such dress code shall be allowed depending on the duties assigned to the student and with the approval of the Internship Coordinator.

b. Downers Grove Police Department Directive 26.1.1 titled Code of Conduct and Appearance shall govern facial hair and hair length.

c. The Internship Coordinator shall be the final arbitrator as to matters of dress and appearance.

APPLY NOW! Interested candidates may apply by selecting Job Openings on the Village website, www.downers.us. Only online applications will be accepted, except for providing reasonable accommodations. Position open until filled.

The Village of Downers Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information or assistance, please contact the Human Resources Department at (630) 434-5500.