Internships & Employment
The Youth Services Unit offers multiple internship and part-time employment opportunities to eligible youths.
Public Safety Cadet Program
The Public Safety Cadet Program offers those 14-to-21-year-olds the opportunity to train and learn in various aspects of law enforcement and policing. Students are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0. This program helps prepare those interested in a career in policing for the academics they encounter in the recruit academy.
Youth Police Academy
Since 1996, the Virginia Beach Police Department has offered the Youth Police Academy to high school students interested in learning about law enforcement. The academy provides hands-on experiences and instruction in a variety of topics, including physical fitness, criminal investigations, forensics, recruitment and selection, officer wellness, conflict resolution, and life skills. Students also participate in practical scenarios, physical training, demonstrations, and field trips to various public safety facilities.
The 2027 Youth Police Academy will be held every Tuesday from January 12 through April 27, 2027, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, at the Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA), located at 411 Integrity Way. Applicants must be 14–18 years old, enrolled in high school, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or drugs.
College Internship Program
The YSU works with local colleges and universities to offer internships to current college students with an interest in law enforcement. This program gives students the chance to experience life as a patrol officer, a career in forensics, traffic safety, dispatch, and more.
Patrol Aide Program
VBPD’s Patrol Aide Program offers part-time employment for those interested in applying for the Basic Academy. Patrol Aides complete observer shifts with patrol officers, provide administrative support, and receive various forms of basic law enforcement training. The Patrol Aide program is an ideal opportunity for 18-to-21-year-olds interested in applying for a career at the Virginia Beach Police Department.