NOPD Officers playing basketball with youth

Student Internships

 

Hands-on Experience

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Student Internship Program is an unpaid intensive internship offering U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students a chance to witness and participate in the formation and implementation of law enforcement, working closely with officers and staff of the department. The program is both professionally and academically beneficial, providing participants with hands-on experience in a law enforcement setting and insight into the substance and daily operations of the department.

It is considered an intensive educational and experiential learning experience, providing professional experience, personal growth, and development within a law enforcement environment.

The NOPD Internship Program participants serve in various sections of the department. As part of the NOPD Internship Program, participants will:

  • Gain practical, professional experience in a law enforcement environment.
  • Serve in one of three program seasons: Spring, Summer, or Fall. Each season lasts approximately 12 – 15 weeks. The Student Internship Program team must approve any schedule variations.
  • Be expected to work full time, 35-40 hours per week.
  • Potentially obtain educational credit.

Experiential Learning

To provide that opportunity to all citizens equally, a dedicated force of professional law enforcement officers patrols the centuries-old streets of the Crescent City to ensure that all our citizens and visitors enjoy their time here safely. You answered your country's call to defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic; in recognition of the high value we place on your proven integrity, discipline, and dedication to public duty, we invite you to join us as a member of the New Orleans Police Department. In recognition of your service to our nation, we offer the following additional benefits exclusively to members of our nation's military to streamline the hiring process:

  • Participate in meetings with the rank
  • Draft, edit, or contribute to reports, communications, talking points, or other materials used by officers and staff
  • Support NOPD events and community outreach initiatives
  • Engage directly with the community to help maintain law and order

Internship Application

The Application Packet will consist of the following:

  1. Internship Application
  2. Cover Letter (include the area of interest)
  3. Essay on “Why should the NOPD select you?”
  4. Resume
  5. Minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
  6. College Transcript
  7. Verification of current enrollment (produced at the time of application and periodically throughout the internship)
  8. Letter of recommendation from a college official, city official, or NOPD office

Those interested in applying for the NOPD Student Internship Program must begin by submitting the application packet via email to:

Inv. Erick Sosa
(504) 658-5575

recruit@nola.gov

Internship Application Timeline

 

Summer Internship

Fall Internship

Spring Internship

Application Opens

October

January

June

Application Deadline (including all supporting documents)

February

May

September

Selection Process – Students under consideration may be contacted for interviews and may receive tentative offers directly from the section commander.

March

June

November

Selectees notified of selection in writing or via email by Recruitment Office

April

July

December

Applicants not selected notified via email by Recruitment Office

April

July

December

Interns Enter on Duty

May – June

August – September

January - February

Internship Ends

August / September

December / January

April / May