Law Enforcement Internship Program

Job Description

Prince William County Police Department: Law Enforcement Internship Program (Summer 2026)

Are you a college student with a keen interest in a career in law enforcement? The Prince William County Police Department invites you to apply for its comprehensive 6-week paid internship program designed to provide an immersive introduction to the field.

Program Details:

• Duration: 6 weeks
• Dates: June 8th to July 17th, 2026
• Work Schedule: Selected applicants will work 20 hours per week.
• Compensation: Interns will receive $18.00 per hour.
• Extension Option: Students may request an extension to their internship to meet college requirements. Please note that an extension is not guaranteed. If approved, the extension will be considered an unpaid volunteer position.

Eligibility Requirements:

Qualified candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Academic Standing: Must be in good academic standing with your college.
• College Year: Juniors and Seniors are preferred; however, 1st and 2nd-year students are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Character: Must be of good moral character.
• Criminal History:
  • Must not have been convicted of or pled guilty/no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the state of Virginia.
  • Must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor of a serious nature that reflects moral turpitude or indicates a tendency to disregard the law.
• Background Investigation: Must be willing to complete a comprehensive background investigation, which includes an interview, criminal history checks, and drug screening.

Application Requirements:

Students must attach the following information to their application when applying for an internship:

• College Transcript: Required (Unofficial transcripts may be submitted).
• Cover Letter: Required, addressed to the Police Personnel Manager. Your cover letter must explicitly include the following information:
  • An explanation of your interest in the Prince William County Police Department.
  • A description of how this internship will benefit you and how it will apply to your future goals.
  • Documentation of the number of credit hours to be obtained through an internship.
  • Indication of the internship hours required by your college.
  • A description of your college’s reporting requirements (e.g., evaluations, special projects, etc.).
• Letter(s) of Recommendation: A minimum of one letter of recommendation is required prior to the ad closing date. Preferably from college faculty.

What You Will Gain:

Selected students can expect to gain invaluable firsthand experience and exposure in various critical areas of law enforcement. The Police Department will endeavor to match interns with a work assignment in their preferred area of interest, however; specific work locations are not guaranteed. Potential assignment areas include:

• Operations Division
• Special Operations Bureau
• Criminal Investigations Division
• Administrative Services Bureau
• Public Information Office
• Criminal Justice Academy
• Information Technology Bureau
• Crisis Intervention
• Community Engagement
• Forensic Services Section (Limited availability)
• Chief’s Office

Compensation & Benefits:

This internship offers a competitive wage of $18.00 per hour.

Please note: As a temporary/seasonal position, this internship does not accrue leave and is not eligible for holidays or other fringe benefits typically associated with full-time or part-time Prince William County Government employees (such as medical, dental, or vision plans).

Important Note:

Honesty and integrity are core values in police work. False statements, lying, knowingly providing inaccurate information, or misrepresentation of facts will not be tolerated. The information you provide will be thoroughly checked and validated. If this information is found to be false, it may lead to your removal from the hiring process and rejection from further consideration.

For detailed information on hiring standards, please refer to the Prince William County Police Department’s official guidelines.