MARTA Police, Georgia State University Partner to Offer Paid Internships

ATLANTA—The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) and Georgia State University are partnering to offer a paid internship to assist eligible students in completing their degree requirements. The pilot internship program allows seniors graduating from Georgia State’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology the opportunity to work up to 20 hours a week with MPD, receiving $15 per hour.

Suleman Hussain

“There is no more noble profession than police work and I believe it’s important that young people interested in criminal justice work enter the job with their eyes open to the challenges and rewards that come with it,” said MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. “This partnership with Georgia State University gives interns real-world experience and an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.”

“We’re grateful that MARTA recognizes the importance of interns and the financial realities of our students. We believe these internships will offer MARTA the opportunity to vet high-quality students and offer our students the opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to work in a law enforcement agency as they consider their careers and beyond,” said Michael Shapiro, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Eligible students are required to serve in three areas of MPD over the course of the semester: Police Communications, Criminal Investigation and Uniformed Patrol. Those interns selected have been brought on as part-time MARTA employees and attended a short orientation program. After successful completion of the internship and required testing, they will be given priority hiring status if they apply for a position within MPD and be eligible for hiring incentives worth thousands of dollars.

The pilot program began this month and continues until July, giving seven seniors valuable experience and MPD immediate help and time to vet them as potential new hires. Georgia State is actively working with juniors on selecting and applying for the internship in hopes of expanding the program.

ABOUT MPD

Founded in 1977, the MARTA Police Department currently consists of approximately 320 sworn officers, 50 Protective Specialists and 57 civilian employees. MARTA police officers are fully sworn and certified under the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. Uniformed and plainclothes officers and K-9 units are stationed throughout the system, patrolling MARTA rail stations, parking lots, buses and trains, and the streetcar.

Stephany Fisher, Communications/Media Relations, MARTA