Internships

The Madison Police Department provides opportunities for internships during the summer. We ask that students who are currently enrolled in an Associate's degree program or a Bachelor's, Masters or Doctoral program submit an application for our internship program. Interested applicants should have an interest in Policing, Criminal Justice or related fields.

Applications must be submitted by March 15. If you are interested in applying for an internship, please complete the application and send a completed Authorization for Release of Information form to our Recruiting Police Officer Paige Decent at pdecent@cityofmadison.com.

As part of the application, please complete the following essay questions:

  • What do you hope to learn from an internship with MPD?
  • How can you contribute to MPD based on your own experiences, skills and abilities?

The Process

After the first of the year, we determine how many interns we will be able to accept during the summer. Typically, we have 40-60 students competing for an average of 20 unpaid internship positions. This is a competitive internship process.

  1. The Recruiting Police Officer will review your application.
    2. Application Form (Word) | Application Form
  2. Background check will be completed on selected applicants.
  3. Selected applicants will be interviewed in the spring.
  4. Internship offers will be extended the end of March/April.

Internships will take place between May and August.

What Will My Internship Look Like Within the Department

The work assignments and hours will vary depending on your placement. We try to match students' interests and skill sets with what each supervisor is seeking. Interns have been previously placed with any of the following areas of our Department: District Captains, Community Police Teams (CPTs), Forensic Services, Neighborhood Officers, Mounted Patrol, K9 Unit, Traffic Enforcement Safety Team (TEST), Drug Task Force, Crime Prevention, Gang Unit, Special Investigations Unit, as well as other officers and units. Interns are also typically afforded the opportunity to spend time in units and with officers outside of their placement. This includes participating in ride-alongs.

Why Intern with the Madison Police Department

Our internships have proven to be very valuable to those who have a desire to become a police officer with our Department in the future. We have hired many former interns who are now Guardians who protect and serve the community members of Madison as sworn officers.

We appreciate your interest in our Department and wish you luck!

Internship Application (Word)

Internship Application

Authorization for Release of Information Form

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Testimonials

Sydney Thorson
As an intern, I felt automatically welcomed into the MPD culture. I was given the ability to see all the different positions and opportunities the department offers.
- Officer Sydney Thorson
Alex Prindle
During my internship I was able to see the different career paths and units MPD offers and how well they work in teams together. The ability to choose and be able to work in a team environment drew me to MPD.
- Officer Alex Prindle
Becky Hoven
Interning with the Madison Police Department provided me with the ability to see what makes MPD stand out from other departments both in the opportunities they have and way they police their community, which is why I ultimately found it to be the right fit for me.
- Officer Becky Hoven
Tyrone Cratic Williams
My [internship] experiences provided me with insight on how I can be a great police officer while also making my own unique impact in the community I serve.
- Officer Tyrone Cratic Williams
Eugene Woehrle
My internship confirmed that the City of Madison Police Department was where I wanted to spend my law enforcement career.
- Captain Eugene Woehrle
Emily Feirer
My internship allowed me to see the impact that MPD makes on the community in both an individual and holistic way. By having the opportunity to shadow department members, I was able to witness the unique connection officers make through interactions with members at community events, in addition to going above and beyond with personable relationships following unimaginable events.
- Officer Emily Feirer