We are honored when citizens want to set aside time to ride along with one of our police officers during a shift. We hope it's an interesting and rewarding experience, and we hope it helps people more fully understand and appreciate the daily routine and demands of police officers.
For everyone's safety, those participating must read, understand, and abide by the following guidelines.
- You must fill out and sign a written form and be informed of approval prior to joining an officer in a ride along.
- You must be 18 years of age or older, unless cleared by the Chief of Police.
- Each request to ride along requires a new written form to be filled out, signed, and approved prior to riding along.
- No weapons of any kind are to be in your possession during the ride along.
- You must always wear a seatbelt while riding in the patrol car.
- You must remain in the patrol car during traffic stops or possible violent calls for service unless an emergency arises and an officer deems it necessary for you to exit the patrol car.
- You may not handle or attempt to operate any equipment in the patrol car.
- If a person is arrested and detained and is transported in the patrol car, you will need to follow the officer's instructions exactly.
- If the officer must respond to a highly hazardous situation, such as an armed robbery, you will be asked to exit the patrol car immediately. After the situation is resolved, the officer will return to your location to pick you up.
- If approved, you may only ride along a maximum of three times per calendar year.
- Ride along times are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will not exceed an 8-hour day.
*Note: Following approval to ride along, any violation of these guidelines will result in the officer asking you to leave the patrol car immediately and possible denial to ride along again in the future. All requests will be processed as soon as possible.