Service
Apply for an internship with DPA's Law and Justice Reform Internship Program
The Department of Police Accountability invites applications from students interested in public service, law, policy, investigations, and justice reform. Fall, Spring, and Summer opportunities are available.
Department of Police AccountabilityWhat to know
About the Program
The Law and Justice Reform Internship Program gives students substantive experience with a local government agency responsible for promoting police accountability and improving the relationship between law enforcement and the communities it serves. Interns work on assignments involving legal research, policy analysis, investigative work, and community-facing projects.
Internship Benefits Include:
- Flexibility to accommodate a student's academic schedule
- Support for students seeking independent funding or academic credit through their school, where available
- Individual training and guidance from DPA staff attorneys
- Possible future job opportunities
What to Expect:
- Conducting legal and policy research on statutes, regulations, and court decisions
- Assisting with investigations by reviewing, organizing, and analyzing information and evidence
- Preparing memoranda, reports, presentations, and other written materials
- Assisting with community engagement and stakeholder projects
This is an unpaid internship. During Fall and Spring terms it runs throughout the school year; during the summer it is offered as a 10-week professional development program.
What to know
About the Program
The Law and Justice Reform Internship Program gives students substantive experience with a local government agency responsible for promoting police accountability and improving the relationship between law enforcement and the communities it serves. Interns work on assignments involving legal research, policy analysis, investigative work, and community-facing projects.
Internship Benefits Include:
- Flexibility to accommodate a student's academic schedule
- Support for students seeking independent funding or academic credit through their school, where available
- Individual training and guidance from DPA staff attorneys
- Possible future job opportunities
What to Expect:
- Conducting legal and policy research on statutes, regulations, and court decisions
- Assisting with investigations by reviewing, organizing, and analyzing information and evidence
- Preparing memoranda, reports, presentations, and other written materials
- Assisting with community engagement and stakeholder projects
This is an unpaid internship. During Fall and Spring terms it runs throughout the school year; during the summer it is offered as a 10-week professional development program.
What to do
Internships at DPA give students the opportunity to learn about:
- Police policies and practices
- Criminal or constitutional law
- Public safety, employment, and administrative law
- How local government works
- Relationships between policy, law, and community engagement
We have internship opportunities for college students, graduate students, and law students. This list is not exhaustive — applicants do not need to be pursuing a legal or criminal justice degree.
Special cases
Qualifications
We look for interns with:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to think critically and solve problems
- A passion for local government, justice issues, and policy
- Attention to detail and follow-through
Highlights according to previous interns:
“Gaining valuable experience working w/ career prosecutors and attorneys”
— Former DPA Intern
“Researching policy for best law enforcement practices”
— Former DPA Intern
“Conducting Policy research related to the transparency of Police Departments that I was not aware of until now”
— Former DPA Intern
“Researching trends in police reform proposals and implementation”
— Former DPA Intern
How To Apply:
Send a resume and cover letter to dpa.recruitment@sfgov.org.
Describe your interest in the program and how the experience relates to your academic, professional, or public-service goals.
- Fall 2026 applications due August 27, 2026
- Spring 2027 applications due November 19, 2026
- Summer 2027 application period October 1, 2026 – January 14, 2027
Partner agencies
Contact us
Phone
Additional info
Address
1 South Van Ness Ave, 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103