REHOBOTH BEACH — Alissa Silva, a senior at Cape Henlopen High School, is interning with the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.

She said it has been an “eye-opening” experience spending about nine hours a week during the school year gaining insight related to patrol, law enforcement administration and community communication.

As part of the program, Alissa has completed several ride-alongs with officers and visited the State Bureau of Investigation, the state crime lab and Delaware State Police Troop 7. She’s also gained hands-on experience with resident interaction and evidence processing.

“Our annual internship program is a great way for high school students to explore an interest in law enforcement,” said Chief Keith Banks. “In turn, our officers are often inspired and reenergized through the enthusiasm and outstanding potential demonstrated by students like Alissa.”

Outside of her internship, Alissa keeps a full schedule. She is a captain on the Cape Henlopen swim team, is the lead editor for the Viking Ventures newspaper and is active with the mock trial team. She also takes Academic Challenge classes through Delaware Technical Community College and criminal justice and criminology classes through Wilmington University.

Upon graduation this spring, she will return to the Delaware Seashore State Park Beach Patrol and then enroll in the forensics examiner program at West Virginia University. An interest in police work comes naturally for Alissa, as both her parents retired from the New York City Police Department.

“I’ve always had a great interest in the stories my family tells and have thought that law enforcement would be a good option for me,” she said. “This internship is helping me to fully understand what all goes into law enforcement and helping me get a foot in the door.”