Kansas City, Missouri – College students who want to work in public safety will have a new chance to visit one of the area’s biggest law enforcement agencies. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is now taking applications for its 2026 Fall Internship Program. This program gives people who want to learn how a big city police department works a chance to do so.
The internship is for students who want to learn more than just what they learn in class. Participants will observe and work with sworn police, professional staff, and people who work in crime labs. The program gives interns a closer look at the several specialized departments in the department and the roles that both uniformed and civilian employees play in keeping the agency working. Some interns have became police officers after their internships, and others have joined the department as full-time staff members.
Interns will be working on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the fall semester, which runs from September 1 to November 19, 2026. From March 1 until May 1, 2026, you can apply for the Fall 2026 semester.
To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old and fill out an online application, send in two letters of recommendation from professors, academic advisers, or law enforcement officials, and write a brief essay explaining why they should be chosen. You must send in all of your materials electronically before the deadline. Background checks and fingerprints will also be done on some of the chosen participants.
Internships last between 145 and 300 hours. The program is flexible, even if it doesn’t pay, so students can keep up with their schoolwork. Interns are expected to manage their time and do their work on their own, just like they would in college.
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At the end of the internship, students get a full evaluation, a certified record of the hours they worked, and copies of their reports and final projects. You can also send the paperwork straight to their institution or university, which will assist them meet their academic requirements.
You might also be able to gain extra hours by working with the Police Athletic League, helping with practical exercises at the Police Academy, or spending more time with units you are interested in when they are available. The program gives students who are thinking about a career in law enforcement or public service a hands-on look at the subject.
