CPD concludes first internship in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Chattanooga Police Department. has wrapped up its first internship partnership with the Police Executive Research forum and HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges and Universities).

Under this internship, college students learn what it is like to work for the police department. 

“We are open to hearing perspectives from our community. So, this is just a different perspective,” Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy said. “I thought it was a great idea. I was glad that we were offered the opportunity. I was glad that the intern chose Chattanooga Police Department, because she did not have to choose here.” 

22-year-old Cierra Issac is a senior at Harris-Stowe University in Missouri. 

But she decided to relocate to Chattanooga for the internship. 

Isaac says it gave her real-life experience to add to her criminal justice degree.  

“Being here and being able to work with the investigators and officers closely, it gave me insight into what I really want to do when I graduate,” Issac said. “So, I was very excited about that. once I learned about the opportunities that CPD offers here.”

She worked with various departments ranging from recruiting to homicide.

“I actually spent a little bit of time in almost every unit that CPD offers. I got the chance to shadow almost each and every person within that unit,” Issac said.

Chief Celeste Murphy says the internship is limited to those who attend HBCUs.

But in the future, CPD hopes to offer internships to younger students. 

“We are looking for ways to be able to reach younger students, before they are even eligible to be on the age to apply for the police department. Whether it be an administrative capacity, we just want to get them ingrained in the culture. Their ideas and their voices are important. Then we can transition them over to the police academy,” Murphy concluded.