Two college students spent their summer riding along on DWI arrests, watching SWAT teams execute warrants and learning what a "nine-banger" distraction device sounds like up close.
Jackson and Cody are summer interns with the Allen Police Department, and on Friday, July 31, they sat down for the department's "Behind the Badge" podcast to describe how the experience reshaped their career plans.
Both interns said family connections to law enforcement shaped their career decisions. The podcast describes a "full circle" connection between the pair and their mentor, Sergeant Williams, though the specifics of that prior relationship weren't detailed.
Their days weren't limited to paperwork. Jackson and Cody described joining narcotics surveillance operations that stretched for hours before culminating in SWAT warrant service.
They rode with patrol officers. They walked through the steps of a DWI arrest in real time, observed K9 unit training and faced the department's oral board process, offering tips on the podcast for future applicants on how to prepare.
A pipeline to a badge
The Allen Police Department frames the internship explicitly as a hiring pipeline.
The department says the program equips students to excel later in the hiring process by rotating them through communications, patrol, community relations, criminal investigations, street crimes, SWAT training and the K9 unit.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and carry a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Interested students can search "Police Internship" on the City of Allen's careers page or call 214-509-4358 for more information. The department's internship page has full details.
The current summer cohort is underway; the city posted an April 2026 application window with an April 24 deadline. Future cycle dates have not yet been announced.
The internship is one of several community engagement programs the department runs, including the Citizens Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, Police Explorers and the Allen Police Youth Boxing Gym.
The full podcast episode is available through the department's Behind the Badge page.
Upcoming community events
- Allen's August lineup includes free concerts, a pool party, comedy shows and a toy show
- Radha Krishna Temple hosts a senior gathering, weekly devotionals and a spiritual retreat throughout August
- Allen ISD classes resume for the 2026-27 school year; check the district's back-to-school guide for bell schedules and bus routes
