An internship with INTERPOL Washington offers a unique and exciting experience that provides excellent insight into the world of criminal justice and law enforcement. A INTERPOL Washington intern not only learns about INTERPOL and the world of international law enforcement, but also learns about the many different agencies and jurisdictions involved in law enforcement in the United States. By working with agents and analysts at INTERPOL Washington, interns will:

• Gain knowledge of the criminal justice system and its domestic and international scope, impact, and mechanisms.
• Gain exposure to a wide variety of federal, state, and local law enforcement entities and their inter-relationships.
• Learn about the various types of law enforcement careers available and how to pursue them.
• Understand the national and international impact of crime.
• Learn about extradition and mutual assistance treaties, agreements, statutes, etc. that facilitate and/or affect international law enforcement cooperation.
• Become aware of issues affecting international criminal investigations and humanitarian assistance.
• Gain the ability to analyze and summarize complex criminal activities.
• Acquire educationally-related work experience: Upon request, and to the extent possible, the INTERPOL Washington will coordinate with educational institutions to ensure duties performed during internships merit college credit. An intern would be assigned to one of INTERPOL Washington’s divisions:
  • Alien/Fugitive Division
  • Drug Division
  • Economic Crimes Division
  • Human Trafficking and Child Protection Division
  • INTERPOL Operations and Command Center
  • Counterterrorism Division
  • Violent Crimes Division
  • State and Local Liaison Division
  • Public and Congressional Affairs
  • Office of the Director
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the Executive Officer
  • Office of the Chief Information Officer

Interns who serve in the various divisions assist with the processing of routine criminal record-check requests. This entails researching extracted data through applicable computer systems, logging and indexing data into a computerized information system, collating pertinent case material into working files, and preparing outgoing correspondence. Occasionally, internships are available in the Office of the Director and the Executive Office, and the translation unit of the INTERPOL Operations and Command Center. For the former, proficient writing skills are required. For the latter, proficiency in the translation of Spanish or French is required.

This is a full time, unpaid internship. Part time positions may be considered on an individual basis, as determined by the needs of the organization and case by case consideration of the student. INTERPOL Washington will not provide housing.

INTERPOL Washington is currently seeking to fill several Internship positions. Qualified applicants will be:

• Seeking a degree or career in Criminal Justice, Political Science, or a language-related degree (Spanish or French preferred).
• Internships in the Office of the Director and Executive Office are suitable for those who are seeking degrees in Public Administration, Finance, Business Management, Computer Science, Information Systems or Information Management, and other related fields.
• Knowledgeable about a variety of computers and office machines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Microsoft SharePoint.
• Have strong writing skills.

To apply for an internship, please submit a cover letter indicating the desired time period for your internship, your resume, and a short (one or two page) writing sample to:

INTERPOL Washington
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Attention: Intern Liaison

Applications submitted via the internet will not be considered.

Submission Deadlines:

• Summer Internship: Applications due by first Friday in March
• Fall Internship: Applications due by first Friday in June
• Spring Internship: Applications due by first Friday in October

Intern applicants must undergo drug testing and a criminal record check. Both must be successfully adjudicated before appointments are offered.

Looking for more information on INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon, France or what it's like to be an INTERPOL junior officer? Visit INTERPOL Headquarters' Student Zone to play an interactive game and learn more about how INTERPOL is organized and the role it plays internationally.