GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OFFICE OF POLICE COMPLAINTS
2021/2022 Internship Programs
Due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic and the agency’s need to work remotely for the foreseeable future, OPC has made the difficult decision to suspend our college investigation and public affairs internship programs until further notice. Additionally, due to the fiscal impacts of Covid-19, we will be unable to provide paid summer internships for Summer 2021 and Summer 2022. Please continue to check this announcement or https://policecomplaints.dc.gov/page/internship-program for updates to these programs.
OPC is still seeking enthusiastic and dedicated law school students to work remotely as law clerks. OPC is an independent government agency that receives, investigates, and resolves citizen complaints of police misconduct filed against Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers. OPC provides an independent and impartial forum for the processing of police misconduct complaints and promotes the highest attainable standard of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in the District’s police departments. Law school interns will work remotely on a variety of projects. The primary duties of law school interns are to (1) conduct legal research and write legal memoranda on issues related to police misconduct and the operations of the agency; (2) conduct research and draft proposals for police reform; and (3) work with MPD, attorneys, advocacy groups, and local and federal agencies on issues affecting police accountability.
Applicants should have strong research, writing, and interpersonal skills, and be able to work with diverse populations. In addition, working remotely requires a strong ability to work independently. Courses in government, political science, public policy, civil rights, criminal justice, and administrative law are viewed favorably, as are foreign language skills especially Spanish.
Fall/Spring/Summer law school student academic interns must commit to 8 hours minimum and 20 hours maximum per week to be considered for this program. Fall/Spring/Summer law student academic internships are unpaid but can be done for academic credit, and OPC will work with interns to meet their law school’s requirements.
Application Deadlines:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, transcript (unofficial) and writing sample by the following dates:
Summer 2021- March 31, 2021
Fall 2021- August 06, 2021
Spring 2022- December 03, 2021
Applicants must apply for the law student academic internships thru https://policecomplaints.dc.gov/page/office-police- complaints-opc-internship-application-form.
For more information about OPC and the internship program, please contact Alicia Yass. Legal Counsel at alicia.yass2@dc.gov or visit OPC’s website at https://policecomplaints.dc.gov/page/internship-program
