The Jemison Police Department broke new ground this year by hiring an intern for the first time in its history.

Chris Warren, 25, of Marbury joined the department Sept. 1 to complete a 540-hour internship for his criminal justice degree from Alabama State University.

“I want to do this to get some type of experience,” Warren said. “Whatever they do, they let me do.”

Warren’s internship was mandatory, but he was able to choose where he wanted to apply.

Chief Shane Fulmer said he was honored Warren chose Jemison and that the department was able to provide the internship he needed.

“A lot of people don’t get that opportunity,” Fulmer said. “It’s been great. He’s been involved and helped us out tremendously.”

Deputy Chief Marc McMinn said Warren has fulfilled many duties of a full-time police officer including data entry, house calls, patrols, wrecks, narcotics, court proceedings, warrants and car maintenance.

“We’ve been blessed to have him up here,” McMinn said. “He has helped us in binds.”

According to Fulmer, the department will continue to offer internships after this year.

Warren said he credits Fulmer and McMinn, as well as Mayor Eddie Reed, Investigator Sgt. Jeff Manasco, Officer Floyd Glass and event coordinator Karen McMinn for giving him a positive work experience.

Warren will graduate in December and plans to join the Police Reserves.

“He sees what the world is really about as far as law enforcement,” McMinn said. “He has done everything we do.”

Warren rides along with officers as much as he can, and although he is not allowed to write incident reports, he frequently helps enter information from reports into the department’s computers.

Warren said he usually works early in the morning until about 4 p.m. every day, and sometimes on weekends.

“People think police officers are bad people,” Warren said. “I guess people don’t know what’s right.”