Policy Text
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GGEENNEERRAALL OORRDDEERR 33..33
TITLE: Internship Program
INDEXING: Internship Program, Interns
ISSUED: 06/01/96 REVISED: 05/03/2022 RESCINDS: 06/22/2009
C.A.L.E.A. STANDARDS: N/A PAGES: 3
CONTENTS
This general order contains the following numbered sections:
I. Program Management III. Application & Selection
II. Qualifications IV. Intern Guidelines
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines for the qualifications, selection, and supervision of
college interns.
SCOPE
These procedures shall apply to all Fort Myers Police Department personnel.
DISCUSSION
The student intern program promotes student interest in the law enforcement field by providing students
with first-hand observation and experience in law enforcement. The program enables a student to relate the
practical law enforcement operations to classroom theories and concepts.
The police department can utilize an effective student intern program in beneficial ways. First, a program of
this type affords an excellent opportunity for the recruitment of talented, college educated, prospective
police officers. Second, the rapport and communication, which evolves from the close association between
police officer and student, is transmitted onto the campuses.
The intern program will be available to all universities and colleges. However, local institutions will be given
preference should the placement requests exceed the number of persons that can effectively be utilized by
the department. Intern placements will be based on the availability of officers and / or assignments at the
time the requests are received.
SECTION I: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
A. The student intern program shall be managed by a Training Division Supervisor, who will
maintain all intern records, files, and also act as a liaison with the student’s school.
B. The department reserves the right to refuse participation to any applicant for any non-
discriminatory reason.
C. The student intern shall read and sign the FMPD Observer/Ride-A-Long Release & Indemnity
Agreement Form, which shall be dated to apply to the entire duration of the internship.
D. The Training Division Supervisor shall determine how many students may participate in the
G.O. 3.3 Internship Program 1 o f 3 05/03/2022\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nprogram at any given time based on the availability of qualified personnel to support the
program.
E. The internship shall not exceed four months, unless otherwise approved by the Chief of
Police.
F. The Training Division Supervisor shall conduct an orientation with the intern to familiarize
them with the organizational structure, the location of each bureau/division/unit, and the rules
and regulations of the Fort Myers Police Department. The student intern shall be responsible
for adherence to all guidelines, directives, regulations, and requirements of the department.
G. The Training Division Supervisor shall assign the intern to a unit or bureau only after making
arrangements with that Bureau Commander. That Bureau Commander shall then be
responsible for further assignment and supervision of the intern. Student interns will be
exposed to various facets of department operations, and assignments may be made in the
following areas:
1. Patrol
2. Communications
3. Investigations
4. Administration / Support Services
5. Community Relations
SECTION II: QUALIFICATIONS
Intern applicants shall meet the following minimum selection criteria:
A. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
B. Be majoring in criminal justice or criminal forensics at an accredited college or university.
C. Have a 2.8 or higher-grade point average.
D. Be recommended by their faculty advisor.
E. Be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor
involving moral turpitude.
F. Successfully pass a limited background check described below.
SECTION III: APPLICATION & SELECTION
A. Interns must complete an application packet.
B. All applications shall be submitted to the Training Division Supervisor, who will review the
qualifications of each applicant.
C. A limited background investigation shall be conducted on each qualified applicant to include:
criminal history, driver’s license check, fingerprints, and student status at their school.
G.O. 3.3 Internship Program 2 o f 3 05/03/2022\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nD. Recommended applications shall be forwarded, via the chain of command to the Chief of
Police, or designee.
E. The Chief of Police or designee will review each candidate’s qualifications and make the final
intern selection.
SECTION IV: INTERN GUIDELINES
A. Interns are expected to conduct themselves in a respectable and proper manner, both within,
and outside the Fort Myers Police Department. A breach of conduct may result in the
termination of the student from the program.
B. Interns shall report appropriately dressed and according to the schedule established for them.
The intern must promptly notify their assigned supervisor if they believe they will be absent or
tardy.
C. Interns shall use the utmost discretion when discussing any police department business with
family and friends.
D. Interns will be issued a photographic identification card which must be worn at all times within
police facilities and at any time during the intern’s working hours.
E. Interns shall not misrepresent themselves as a law enforcement officer or member of the Fort
Myers Police Department.
F. Interns shall keep a log of their activities, to include the date, assignment, reporting time, and
an accurate entry of work observed or performed.
G. Interns shall comply with any other rules and / or requirements that may be established.
H. Internships may be terminated by the Chief of Police without cause.
___________________________________________________________________________________
APPROVED:
[Electronic Signature on File] 08/23/2024
________________________________ __________________________,
Jason Fields, Chief of Police Date
Fort Myers Police Department
G.O. 3.3 Internship Program 3 o f 3 05/03/2022