Police interns are non-paid students who perform a wide variety of support-related functions within the police department.  The Springfield Police Department has a structured 150-hour internship course.  The course incorporates job shadowing different areas of the Springfield Police Department such as detectives, training, community services, and patrol.  The internship will also help the intern prepare themselves with resume building, interview skills, and public speaking. 

Requirements for an internship position are the following:

• Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen
• Have 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university OR 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university plus three years of experience as a Springfield Police Cadet.
• Do not have a pending indictment of any felony, serious misdemeanor, or driving while intoxicated within the last three years.
• Has not used marijuana illegally in the past twelve months or any other type of controlled substance illegally within the last three years.

To apply for an internship position, complete the Internship Application.

Application Deadlines:

• Spring 2023 Internship -- Sept. 30, 2022
• Summer 2023 Internship -- Jan. 31, 2023
• Fall 2023 Internship -- April 30, 2023

Once you have completed the application, please mail or email it to the Volunteer Coordinator Officer Greg Young.  Once the application has been processed, an oral interview and background investigation may follow.  A limited amount of internships are accepted due to the volume of applications the Springfield Police Department receives. 

If you have questions that are not on the above frequently asked questions document, please contact the volunteer coordinator at 417-864-1351 or at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect to do during the internship program?

The Internship Program is a hands-on Internship and we have moved away from a “paper pushing” Internship. We have a structured Internship Program that includes at least 40 hours of ride longs with patrol. You will job shadow specialized units such as the Detectives, K-9, Training, Community Service Section, and more. 

We believe the Internship Program should be used to help develop you to be ready for a career. Therefore, we also assist with career development such as interviewing skills, resume building, financial, ethics and professionalism, public speaking, health, and wellness. 

You will also learn how and why officers at the Springfield Police Department do what they do and how you can become one as well! 

How long is the internship program?

Our Internship Program is a minimum of 150 hours. If your school requires less than 150 hours, you will still complete 150 hours with us. If your school requires more than 150 hours, you can discuss with the Volunteer Coordinator about adding those additional hours into your Internship Program. 

Do you provide a paid internship program?

The City of Springfield has a paid Diversity Internship program that is designed to build interest and awareness of career opportunities within local government for veteran, disabled, or minority students, specifically among underrepresented groups. If you would like to apply for this Diversity Internship program, please submit a resume via email to [email protected]. 

Please include: 

• Why are you a good candidate? 
• What areas of work interest you? 
• How will this internship help your career aspirations? 
• Do you identify as a veteran, disabled, or minority student?

The Springfield Police Department’s Internship Program is not a paid Internship unless you apply and are excepted through the City of Springfield’s Diversity Internship Program. 

What is the process to become an intern at SPD?

1. First, you must complete and submit an application.
2. After the application, you will be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator to set up an interview at our South District Station (2620 W. Battlefield Rd). 
3. You will be notified if you pass the interview. If you do, you will move onto the background investigation. The background investigation is online, and you must have access to a computer, internet, scanner, and a printer. 
4. After the background investigation, you will be notified if you have passed or failed it and if you have been accepted into our Internship Program. 
5. If you want to apply for the City of Springfield’s Diversity Internship, this must be done prior to the background investigation period. 

How many interns do you accept at one time?

We traditionally accept one to two interns at one time. 

What are the requirements for the internship program?

1. Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen.
2. Have 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university OR 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university plus three years of experience as a Springfield Police Cadet.
3. Must commit to providing at least 150 working hours to the Police Department throughout the duration of their internship.
4. An applicant shall be automatically disqualified and ineligible for the position of Intern if they: 
   1. Have been found guilty of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony, serious misdemeanor, or driving while intoxicated within the last three years;
   2. Have a pending indictment of any felony, serious misdemeanor, or driving while intoxicated withing the last three years;
   3. Have used marijuana illegally in the past twelve months or any other type of controlled substance illegally within the last three years. 
   4. The applicant has sold, transported, traded, or dispensed drugs illegally, or has sold or traded in any contraband. If the candidate was a juvenile at the time of the offense, this will be considered a discretionary disqualifier. 
   5. The applicant intentionally omits relevant information or fails to submit a complete, accurate, and truthful application for employment or background information questionnaire.