First PUSD Student Police Interns Presented at Joint Meeting

On Monday, May 11, 2009, seven students selected to participate in an internship program in the Pasadena Police Department will be introduced to the Pasadena City Council and the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education at a joint meeting to be held at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E Holly Street at 6:30 p.m.

Members of the joint City-PUSD staff committee also presented a new program in collaboration with Pasadena City College (PCC) to provide internship opportunities for PUSD students at the Pasadena’s Public Works, Human Services and Recreation, and Water and Power departments.

"This was a rigorous program and these young people rose to the challenge," says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. "In addition to their regular school work and assignments, they withstood an exceptionally comprehensive application process and have completed 160 hours of unpaid internship with the Pasadena Police Department. It is unfortunate that, as many children we have like this in our community and in our schools that we rarely get to celebrate their successes publicly. This is who we should be reading about in our daily newspapers."

The Police Department interns attend PUSD’s Blair IB Magnet School, John Muir High School and Pasadena High School. The purpose of the program is to learn fundamental business skills in the Records Section, learn to conduct community outreach through the Police Activities League in the Community Services Section, and learn proper patrol procedures by participating in weekly assignments with patrol officers. The objective of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to explore law enforcement through practical field experience. Upon passing this academy, students earn two college credits from Pasadena City College.

Representatives of the City of Pasadena, PUSD, and PCC presented a new internship program designed to introduce students to career pathways in Public Works, Human Services and Recreation and Water and Power.

"This program builds on efforts to prepare students for college and career opportunities beyond high school," said Edwin Diaz, Superintendent of Schools. "This program will integrate career technical education courses at the high school level with real work experience, and corresponding certificate programs at local community colleges."

Interns will receive an orientation to their assigned Department, including: mission, goals, objectives, and activities, participate in tours of key Department facilities and operations, and obtain a work assignment to one Division.