First Group of Chesapeake Sheriff's Office Interns Set to Complete Innovative Program
August 04, 2016
Chesapeake Sheriff's Office interns
Old Dominion University's Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office launched an innovative internship program this summer. The initial group of interns will complete the program in just over a week.
Eight students are completing a three-month program to receive certification from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. That will enable them to work part-time as seasonal employees, or deputy cadets, of the department while attending classes and maintaining good academic standing.
The students went through the same intensive selection process, including a physical agility test, as other applicants for deputy sheriff.
"I chose to partner with Old Dominion University for a few reasons," Chesapeake Sheriff Jim O'Sullivan said. "Old Dominion University is one of the finest institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A number of staff members of the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office have attended and graduated from Old Dominion University. And, finally, the close proximity of the University to the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office made it a perfect fit."
Raven Woody, a rising senior, said the internship provides an opportunity to make connections and gain experience before graduating from ODU.
"I am going to be graduating with law enforcement training and experience that can help me in any criminal justice career I choose," Woody said. "I've gotten to know so many good deputies that have taught me life lessons I can take forward and hopefully one day teach to others, just as they have done for me. This opportunity means a head start for the future, for all of us."
In addition to Woody, the students participating in the first year of the program are Austin Cox, Matthew Klock, Austin Holmes, Leremie Santos-Koos, Pedro Del Carpio, Shaquan Lewis and Patrick Packnette. They will earn nine hours of academic credit from the training academy, which runs from May 16 to Aug. 11.