LENS Foundation Announces Fourth Sponsored Intern for Isle of Palms Police Department

Jordyn Draper pictured second from the left

Charleston Southern University Senior Jordyn Draper Joins the Program

The Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support (LENS) Foundation is proud to announce the selection of its fourth sponsored intern for the Isle of Palms Police Department (IOPPD), continuing the Foundation’s growing commitment to supporting the next generation of criminal justice professionals. This year’s intern, Charleston Southern University senior Jordyn Draper, will complete 120 hours with the department between January 12 and May 4, 2026, gaining hands-on experience alongside officers dedicated to public safety, integrity, and community service.

The LENS Internship Program—launched in 2022 to help college students gain meaningful experience in a real-world law enforcement environment—provides paid opportunities at $15/hour. While the Foundation provides the financial support, the Isle of Palms Police Department leads the hiring process, including interviews, scheduling, and oversight of job responsibilities. All applicants must pass a criminal background check and motor vehicle record review to ensure they meet departmental standards.

With each new intern, LENS moves closer to its vision of supporting law enforcement in practical, forward-looking ways. By funding opportunities like this, the Foundation not only strengthens the Isle of Palms Police Department but also encourages students to pursue careers built on accountability, compassion, and public trust. “When young people get real exposure to what it means to serve a community, they carry those lessons with them for life,” said Ted Kinghorn, Executive Director of the IOP LENS Foundation. “Watching this program grow—to now welcoming our fourth intern—is a tremendous milestone. These students bring energy, purpose, and curiosity, and they remind all of us why supporting law enforcement matters.”

For Draper, a Criminal Justice major with aspirations to work in public service, the internship represents an invaluable step forward. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of the LENS Internship and to gain hands-on experience while learning from professionals dedicated to service and leadership.”

Her approach to the work is guided by a verse that has shaped her understanding of justice and humility: Micah 6:8 — “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Draper’s internship officially begins January 12, marking another meaningful chapter in the partnership between LENS and the IOPPD.