Los Angeles Police Department-Scientific Investigation Division

The Los Angeles Police Department has developed unpaid internship programs with many of the local universities and colleges.

Students from these universities who are enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program may perform a one- or two-term internship at Community Police Stations, learning about administrative functions and basic detective techniques. In most cases they work in the Detective Division and spend time in the following units: Robbery, CAPS (Crimes Against Persons), MAC (Major Assault Crimes), Juvenile, Autos, and Burglary.

This program has been a positive experience for the students as well as the detective personnel who have had the opportunity to work with them. For more information about internship programs call or email the internship coordinator. The contact inforamtion is listed bellow.

Volunteer Programs

One of the most important aspects of the LAPD volunteer program is the diversity of responsibilities that volunteers undertake on a daily basis. Volunteers create and maintain a delicate balance in the Department by providing essential services in both sworn and civilian-related duties. In this way, volunteers serve as a bridge between officers and civilians as they represent their communities in all aspects of Department-related functions.

The City of Los Angeles is divided into 21 geographic Areas, each containing its own community police station. In the spirit of community policing, community members and officers join together to design volunteer opportunities at each station. The following list represents a sample of the variety of programs that are open to volunteer involvement. Actual volunteer programs may differ from station to station, depending upon the needs of the community.

There are also over 20 specialized divisions that utilize volunteers. In addition, LAPD provides opportunities for college/high school students interested in working in unpaid intern/volunteer positions or community service requirement programs.

How to Become an LAPD Volunteer

For information on volunteer opportunities with the LAPD, contact the Community Police Station closest to your home or work and ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator in the station's Community Relations Office. The officer coordinating the program will provide information regarding current volunteer opportunities as well as the application process. All applicants are required to be fingerprinted as part of LAPD background procedures.

If you aren't sure which station you should call, or you have specific interest in one of the LAPD specialized divisions, you may contact the Department's Volunteer Coordinator Officer Gil 39213@lapd.lacity.org at 213-486-4734.