Internship

Thank you for your interest in the Hastings Police Department's Internship program. Below is a list of documents you will be required to submit to be considered for an internship as well as some frequently asked questions and expectations. Please read this information carefully then complete and submit the required documents. Please note, Internships with the Hastings Police Department are unpaid.

  1. Intern Application - Provides background information on the applicant.
  2. Intern Agreement, Indemnity Agreement, and Covenant Not to Sue - Addresses specific topics an intern agrees to uphold as a passenger in a Hastings Police Division vehicle.
  3. Accident Waiver and Release - Explanation of possible dangers associated with the program. 
  4. Intern Agreement - Lists specific rules and regulations governing an intern of the Hastings Police Department.
  5. Intern Drug Free Agreement - Agreement to adhere to the Hastings Police Departments drug and crime free policy.
  6. Cover letter - A letter indicating your desire and reason for requesting an internship with the Hastings Police Department.
  7. Professional Resume - Your resume to date. We understand it may not have much information on it yet, but you will need to have one soon anyway. 
  8. Letter of recommendation - You will need one letter of recommendation from a faculty advisor or professor from the school you are attending. 

Again, thank you for your interest in our internship program and I look forward to reviewing your application. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.

Captain Jason Haase                                                                                                                                                              Ride along/Internship Coordinator                                                                                      

Hastings Police Department Internship Frequently Asked Questions & Rules

 

WHO CAN APPLY?

  • Participants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Participants must be taking a college course that requires an internship and have at least a 2.5 GPA.
  • Only one internship per student is permitted per calendar year.
  • All internships with the Hastings Police Department are unpaid observational programs.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP?

  • Applicants must fully complete the Internship Application and associated documents.
  • To participate in the program, forms must be fully and accurately completed and must be signed by the applicant. 
  • The application and waiver forms must be submitted at least thirty working days before the desired start of the internship.
  • Incomplete applications and applications without the signatures will be rejected. 
  • You will be notified if your application is approved and the program coordinator will contact you.

WHAT HOURS WILL I BE SCHEDULED?

  • There is a space on the application form to include the number of hours required by your college class. Please make sure you include this along with a date range that you must complete the internship within. We will try to schedule your internship as requested, however there is no guarantee that your request can be accommodated.
  • Interns are typically scheduled for 8, 10, or 12 hour blocks and may overlap different patrol shifts at the Hastings Police Department. Hours are usually scheduled between 6:00 am and 2:00 am.
  • Interns will have their hours divided as equally as possible between Day and Night Patrol Divisions, the Investigations Division, and Department trainings. 
  • Once your schedule is set, you are expected to be on time and not have unexcused absences.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR AND BRING WITH ME WHEN RIDING ALONG?

  • Internship dress code is "Business Casual." Blue jeans, sweatshirts, leggings, tank tops, shorts, sweatpants, tennis shoes, flip flops, etc. are NOT business casual.
  • You will be given Hastings Police Department Polo shirts to wear along with a bulletproof vest. You will be required to wear the shirt and vest during each visit unless instructed otherwise.
  • You may bring a packed lunch, snacks, and drinks if you wish. You will take your lunch/dinner break when the Officer you are with takes theirs. The Hastings Police Department has a full kitchen for you to prepare food if you wish. You are also welcome to leave during the meal break to go somewhere. 

RULES:

  • You must comply with the following rules. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the immediate termination of you internship and you will not be allowed to participate in the Internship Program in the future. 
  • Interns are observers and you will be under the direct supervision of a police employee.  You must comply with all directions and orders given to you by any police employee. You are not to become involved in any incident, conversation, or altercations between police employees and the public unless instructed to do so.
  • You are expected to conduct yourself in a civil, personable, and courteous manner at all times.
  • You will follow your assigned Officer on calls for service unless told to remain in a certain place or in the patrol vehicle. When in the patrol vehicle, you will wear you seatbelt.
  • For security and safety reasons, participants are not allowed to handle or use any of the officer's equipment or the equipment in the patrol vehicle unless called upon by an officer in an extreme life threatening emergency.
  • In the event that the officer has to respond to a potentially dangerous situation or hazardous call, you may be dropped off at a safe location away from the incident. If this occurs you will be given specific instructions to follow and the officer will arrange for another police employee to pick you up.
  • You may not carry any personal weapons with you while interning.
  • You may carry your cell phone with you, but its use should be limited to emergencies or prolonged periods of inactivity. 

You can submit you fully completed application to Captain Jason Haase via email at or hand deliver the application to the Hastings Police Department, or mail it to the address below:

Hastings Police Department                                                                                                                                        Ride-Along/Internship Coordinator                                                                                                                         317 S Burlington Ave                                                                                                                                                Hastings, NE 68901