PARIS — The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring to all university/college students who are enrolled in a criminal justice degree program a free 150-hour internship experience.

The experience affords the degree student an opportunity to gain insight to their career path through realistic situations encountered through actual law enforcement activities.

Applicants to the program must submit a letter from their respective educational institution stating they will accept the internship program for degree credit.

Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter to the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, successfully undergo a pre-internship background investigation and attend an oral board review prior to acceptance into the program.

The students will be instructed on safety precautions, confidentiality provisions, proper dress code and professional behavior before beginning the internship.

Once accepted, the students will coordinate a work/internship schedule with the chief deputy of the office. The program consists of 40 hours of day shift patrol, 40 hours of night shift patrol, 20 hours in the Criminal Investigation Division, 10 hours of special assignment patrol (rural details, roadblocks), 10 hours in the civil process division, 10 hours in the Oxford County Regional Communications Center (dispatch), 10 hours in the Oxford County Jail and 10 hours in the administrative office.

Upon completion of the internship program, students will be required to submit a journal to the chief deputy detailing all facets of their experience. At that time they will be awarded a certificate of completion from the sheriff.