CPD Concludes First HBCU Internship

CHATTANOOGA, TN. – The Chattanooga Police Department is wrapping up its first intern partnership with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

22-year-old Cierra Isaac from St. Louis, Missouri, has worked with CPD since June 5th, relocating to Chattanooga for the internship opportunity. She makes her capstone presentation via Microsoft Teams Friday afternoon at 2:15. CPD is one of only 29 law enforcement agencies in 15 states chosen to participate in the program this year.

Under the PERF-HBCU Summer Internship Program challenges select college students to learn the inner workings of a police department and the importance of good policing in a community. The capstone is a written report and an oral presentation on a specific function in their area of assignment. The project is expected to reflect research, data analysis, and national best practices in support of recommendations for organizational improvement.

During her time with the Chattanooga Police Department, Isaac was able to work with Missing Persons/Juveniles, the Victim Services Unit, Special Victims Unit, Homicide, the Crime Scene Unit, Recruiting, the Auto Crime Unit, the Crisis Co-Response Unit, and Patrol.

PERF funds the internship program and provides each of the 30 interns a stipend for the 10-week, 40-hour per week course. This is the first time Chattanooga was selected to participate in the program.

For more information on the PERF-HBCU Summer Internship Program, contact Chuck Wexler at (202) 320-3432.