(a) Purpose. To provide eligible citizens an opportunity to observe the day-to-day operations of the Department and its officers.
(b) Policy. Only those persons with written authorization from the Chief or a designee shall be allowed to participate in the Department’s Citizen Ride-Along Program. Priority shall be given to qualified interns or students enrolled in a college or university sponsored law enforcement or criminal justice related program. Exceptions may be granted by the Chief or a designee.
(c) Eligibility. To participate in the Citizen Ride-Along Program, the applicant shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Eighteen years of age or older and shall sign a waiver of liability form provided by the Department. With the approval of the (Chief, Director, Sheriff) or a designee, a person who is less than 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver form.
(2) Shall be in good health and shall not have any condition that may hinder a police officer from performing his or her duties.
(3) Shall be free from arrest and/or conviction of a criminal offense or serious traffic offense.
(4) Shall not be under a personal protective order or bond restrictions.
(5) Shall not be or have been an adverse party involved in any civil matter involving the municipality or its employees as defendants.
(6) Shall agree to provide requested information necessary to allow processing of the application by the Department.
(7) Shall agree to follow the rules of the Program and direction of the officer to which they are assigned.
(8) Shall agree that participation is limited to those hours approved by the Chief or a designee.
(9) Off duty police officers from other jurisdictions may apply to participate in the program with written approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Department for which they are employed. With the agreement that they may not be armed and can not participate in police action taken by this Department.
(c) Application.
(1) Individuals wishing to participate in the Citizen Ride-Along Program shall:
A. Truthfully complete an application to participate in the Program.
B. Sign the waiver of liability and authorization for release of information forms.
C. Return the application and forms to the Department.
(2) The completed application shall be forwarded to the Chief or a designee for processing and review to determine the person’s eligibility.
A. If the person is eligible for the Program, the Chief, or a designee shall notify the applicant that they are eligible to participate.
1. The department member making the determination of eligibility shall note their name and the date on the application.
2. The person shall be assigned hours to participate. These hours shall be noted on the application along with the name of the assigning officer and the date the assignment was made.
3. The shift commander affected by the hours shall be given a copy of the approved application and signed waiver, and shall be informed of the arrangements that have been made.
B. If the person is ineligible to participate in the Program, the Chief, or a designee shall notify the applicant that they are not eligible.
1. The reasons for the ineligibility shall by noted on the application along with the name of the person making the determination.
2. The date the person was notified of the ineligibility shall be noted on the application.
3. All applications shall be maintained in an administrative file for a period of three years.
(d) Rules of Conduct of Ride-Along.
(1) Participants have no police power and shall not take any law enforcement action unless they are directed to do so by an officer of this Department.
(2) Participants shall respect and maintain the confidentiality of the Department’s information and records.
(3) Participants shall not use Department communications equipment except in extreme emergencies.
(4) Participants shall not use Department computers except as authorized by an officer of the Department. At no time shall a participant have any access to LEIN.
(5) Participants shall not operate any vehicle during their Ride-Along assignment.
(6) Participants shall not handle any evidence.
(7) Participants shall not engage in conversation with people involved in complaint activity or those under the control of the Department.
(8) Participants shall follow the rules of the Program and direction of any command officer or the officer to whom they are assigned.
(9) Participants are to remain with the patrol vehicle during their Ride-Along unless otherwise directed by an officer.
(10) Participants shall wear business or business casual attire.
(11) Participants shall display department issued (visitor, observer, Ride-Along, student) identification during the Ride-Along assignment, if provided.
(12) Participants may carry a flashlight for purposes of illumination.
(13) Participants are prohibited from possessing or carrying a firearm or any other weapons during the Ride-Along.
(14) Participants shall not smell of, possess or consume alcoholic beverages or prohibited substances during the Ride-Along.
(15) Participants shall not use tobacco products while in Department buildings, in any Department owned vehicles, in locations where use is prohibited or while in view of the public.
(16) Police Officers from other jurisdictions who participate in the Program may not be armed and can not participate in police action taken by this Department.
(f) Shift Commander Responsibilities.
(1) Shall review the application of the participant to ensure a waiver of liability has been signed.
(2) Shall ensure the person reporting to Ride-Along is the same individual who has been approved.
(3) Shall review the rules of the Program with the participant and ensure they are in proper attire.
(4) Shall assign the participant to an officer who is participating in the Program for the Ride-Along period and make the introduction.
(5) Shall brief the assigned officer of any additional responsibilities during the Ride-Along period.
(6) May terminate a ride-along session due to manpower shortage, workload or some unforeseen circumstances where it would not be appropriate to continue the session.
(7) Shall interview the participant and the officer to receive feedback about the Program. A short synopsis of the information will be forwarded to the Chief or a designee.
(8) Should a Ride-Along experience be terminated at the request of an officer, the Shift Commander shall ensure an administrative report detailing the reason(s) for the decision is attached to the application and forwarded to the Chief, or a designee. The following are circumstances when the Ride-Along experience may be ended:
A. The participant does not follow the rules of the Program or directions of the officer.
B. The participant creates conflict or an unsafe condition for the officer.
C. Conditions exist that make it unsafe for the participant to continue.
D. It is determined that the participant was untruthful in the application for participation in the Program.
(g) Police Officer Responsibilities.
(1) Officers assigned a civilian Ride-Along should go about their routine assignment while hosting a Program participant. Remember the participant is an interested civilian observer.
(2) Officers shall keep the safety of the participant in mind when performing assignments. Instruction shall be given to the participant that is consistent with the rules of the Program, it should be reinforced that unless otherwise directed by the officer, they are to remain with the patrol vehicle as an observer.
NOTE: If it is desired to have the participant to enter private property, permission must be gained from the owner or person in control of the property.
(3) Officers shall familiarize the participant with the equipment in the patrol vehicle and how it functions.
(4) Officers are expected to answer the participant’s questions in a thoughtful and truthful manner. Tactical or operational information of the Department that is considered confidential shall not be disclosed. Officers shall keep in mind the rules of the Department considering the release of information.
(5) The officer is responsible to pre-plan with the participant some safe drop off places that can be utilized. If the officer is assigned or becomes involved in a serious felony incident, motor vehicle pursuit or at any other time the officer feels it is necessary, the officer is to drop the participant at one of the safe places and then notify dispatch of the location. As soon as practical the host officer shall retrieve the participant or cause it to be done by another unit.
(6) If the participant wants to end the Ride-Along, they are to be returned to the station as soon as practical. The shift commander shall be notified that the participant has chosen to terminate.
(7) An officer may request the shift commander to end the participant’s Ride-Along experience. The following are circumstances when the Ride-Along experience may be ended:
A. The participant does not follow the rules of the Program or directions of the officer.
B. The participant creates conflict or an unsafe condition for the officer.
C. Conditions exist that make it unsafe or inappropriate for the participant to continue.
D. It is determined that the participant was untruthful in the application for participation in the Program.
(g) Compliance. Violations of this policy, or portions thereof, may result in disciplinary action.
(h) Application. This order constitutes Department policy, and is not intended to enlarge the employer’s or employee’s civil or criminal liability in any way. It shall not be construed as the creation of a higher legal standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third party claims insofar as the employer’s or employee’s legal duty as imposed by law.
(Motion 09-18-12-09. Passed 8- -2012)