Ocean City Police Department Discusses Summer Opportunities Available to Point Park University Students Thursday, November 6, 2025
Students were able to ask members of the Ocean City Police Department questions as the officers shared details about their summer internship opportunities during a presentation on Nov. 5, 2025.
"These opportunities give our students hands-on experience of what they would be doing in the forensics or criminal justice fields. They usually come back with so many stories and a better understanding of their future career."
Students were able to learn about an exciting opportunity that could take them from Pittsburgh to Ocean City, Maryland, during the summer.
Officers from the Ocean City Police Department met with students to discuss their summer internship program, which allows students from a variety of majors to serve as Public Safety Officers during the region's busy travel season. The partnership allows students to earn necessary internship credits while also learning the ins-and-outs of how a real police department works through shadowing opportunities.
"Public Safety Officers are utilized as civilian support staff within the Patrol and Support Services Divisions," said Edward Strimlan, chair of the Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies department. "Generally, Public Safety Officers are deployed in the areas of Arrest and Detention, Parking Enforcement, or support to Patrol Operations. These opportunities give our students hands-on experience of what they would be doing in the forensics or criminal justice fields. They usually come back with so many stories and a better understanding of their future career."
This year's presenters were Jessica Weiber and Cara Chiocca, officers who started their police careers in Ocean City through the internship program. Throughout their presentation, they detailed the opportunities that students have to learn the various aspects of law enforcement. Many of the training and shadowing opportunities can be resume builders as well, adding skills that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are seeking from applicants.
"It's a very cool experience, especially if you're unsure if policing is for you," Chiocca said. "I had no prior experience with law enforcement, nobody in my family was a part of it. I took one criminal justice class in high school, and decided to keep going with it, really jumping into the job. That's where I got the experience, realizing that's this was the career for me. What are internships really for? They're trying to allow you guys a chance to decide what you want to do, to find it your path."
According to the officers, the Ocean City Police Department is looking for 80 to 90 seasonal aides for their summer internship program this travel season. More details on the Seasonal Public Safety Officer position can be found on the department's website.
