College students with an interest in law enforcement can find out what it’s like to walk a day in a police officer’s shoes.

Last week, Palmerton Borough Council approved an internship program through the Palmerton Police Department.

After the meeting, borough police Chief Tim Kromer explained how the program works.

“A Palmerton graduate who is a student at Bloomsburg University had contacted officer (Shawn) Leadbetter regarding the possibility of doing an internship here,” Kromer said. “I was then contacted by a representative from Commonwealth University about setting up an internship program.”

Kromer said they sent him the agreement between the police department and the university setting the ground rules, and making a formal agreement between the department and the university that their students could do internships with the department.

He noted that the agreement that was approved by council is for any students from Commonwealth University, which consists of Bloomsburg University, Mansfield University, and Lock Haven University.

“The request from Commonwealth University is what prompted me to look into an internship program,” Kromer said. “However, I have since developed an internship program policy, so we are open to internship applications from students from any college or university.”

He said the student would have to do 120 hours with the police department, which he would set up as far as times, tasks and officers.

“Obviously, we’d work with them on their schedule,” Kromer said. “It’s pretty flexible.”

Kromer said he believes there are several benefits associated with the program.

“I think it gives them a good idea of what a local law enforcement agency looks like, what we do on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “It always has the potential if that student is interested in law enforcement, (they could) become a future candidate for our police department.”

That isn’t all, according to Kromer.

“I just think it’s good for people to see the services that we provide,” he said. “It’s just a good way to connect with the community, and have the students that are looking for a career in law enforcement to have the opportunity to intern with a local agency.”