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10 Tips for Ride-Alongs
Dr. Richard Weinblatt
7) Confidentiality
Law enforcement officers see quite a bit of interesting stuff in their line of work. Even Hollywood can’t make up what officers see in real-life. As a participant in a ride-along, you may see neighbors and other people from your community at their worst moment. Specifics and identifiers from the call are not for public consumption unless otherwise agreed upon. Some agencies may allow you to attend the pre-shift briefings. Again, information being discussed is not public in nature and you need to use discretion in discussing what you have seen and heard.
Notable exceptions pertain to the presence of credentialed media and news journalists who are approved for the ride-along with the full knowledge of their objective. Famous examples include the TV show “COPS.”
On the local level, having a news crew onboard is a win-win situation. The department gets to showcase officers engaged in good policing and reach out to the community via the viewing audience. The TV station, in turn, gets captivating programming.
As a police chief, I approved local network affiliates’ news cameras to ride-along with patrol personnel in marked Ford Crown Victorias. We thoroughly discussed the rules and boundaries beforehand and each time it proved to be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. These are folks who will reveal information publicly and have been approved to do so in advance by the nature of their mission.
Heitmann
about 3 years ago
8 Comments
What about pocket knives? I carry mine everywhere I go. Since I sometimes need to cut up my lunch or do things people do with scissors. Then I carry my mag light in case something happens or to avoid stepping in dog mess and so I can see where to put my key. As for difficult or dangerous situation I've been in more of those than I want to think about. I'd say visit the bathroom every chance you get it hurts when things get crazy and you need to you know what. I'd agree to leave the mag in the trunk and leave my pocket knife in there if it was a problem. I don't want to be doing that with a person who is deliberately trying to scare me. I'm hoping it will be routine if I do that. I've seen enough really horrible things in my life. 115 mph that'd certainly spook me. Going that fast something goes wrong and you've had it.
DALLASCRANE
about 3 years ago
19386 Comments
A FEW EXTRA POINTS: Most of the time the drive is fairly routine. I always suggest you carry a small pocket flashlight. Be aware of how the radio functions. Body armor is always an option. If you have body armor check the expiration date and condition. Rain wear is appropriate in some situations simply leave it in the trunk till needed. Please fasten your seat belt before you are asked! Have a good ride!
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
Eilene: "They couldn't scare me, didn't work, I knew i wasn't in any danger, traveling on the highway at 115 mph." wow, the overconfident ridealong... i hope you would hold your composure that well when all heck breaks loose.
Eilene
about 3 years ago
18370 Comments
Great Article, I have been on several ride a longs, too many to count. Although, I did all of my paperwork before I went and was totally prepared. Some things you are not prepared for, I knew the deputies I was riding along with and it seemed their only task for the evening was to try to see if they could scare me. Didn't work, I knew I wasn't in any danger, traveling on the highway at 115 miles per hour. In fact, one call we had that night the deputy I was riding with locked me in the cruiser. I rode with a deputy and we went on a child abuse call, he handed me a flashlight and said "you know what to do with this" if you need to. Another ride-along I had to go into a house with an Officer for a drug search. Everything depends on who you ride with, but knowing your boundaries is an excellent point. I wish I had read your article before those ride alongs. Thank you
Cuffs710
about 3 years ago
1594 Comments
Thanks for the tips. I plan on scheduling a ride along soon and hope that I get paired up with someone that has volunteered!
popcop
about 3 years ago
312 Comments
Good article! Wish we had this system in Sweden too.....
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
This was really good information. I have to say though, I really didnt think that people who had warrants would honestly try to go on a ride a long! That is hilarious.. I thave went on a couple with Pierce County and King County Sherffs dept. Both agencies were great...and I have to say that I was surprised/disappointed that there wasnt more "action" going on the nites I chose(Fri and Sat) but looking back at it now.. I know that was a good thing!
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
Great information! Thank you, for quality and suggestive tips. I plan to go on a Ride-Along soon and I can't wait. Hopefully the Officer appointed to me was the one that VOLUNTEERED :)
Anonymous
about 3 years ago
Good article.
CopKT
about 3 years ago
2 Comments
Great article Doc! As a reserve officer I always want to ridealong with other agencies. Just to observe and see the differences between larger cities/departments and smaller ones.
88malo
about 3 years ago
134 Comments
thank you for posting this article
k9author
about 3 years ago
10 Comments
I found out the hard way ...to make sure that the lieutenant or other officer in charge had chosen a patrol officer who welcomed a ride along..if they don't it will not be pleasant venture, When the patrol officer was ok with a ride along it was always a fascinating few hours, quickly leanred that most just love their jobs. Thins can escalate in a hurry. Do not carry hot coffee into the cruiser! I did and it spilled!
xxproto21xx
about 3 years ago
32 Comments
To me this seems like stuff people should know going into this situation. If they don't, or act stupid they have no place being in the car.
Only thing is about the food and eating out. At my local PD they would never let me pay for even myself lol. They are really a good group of guys, and when you are around enough and they like you especially with small departments everyone is family.
expsgt
about 3 years ago
294 Comments
I've been a Sheriff's Explorer for 4 years, and have 1000+ hours logged just in ridealongs. My biggest advice to those riding with a Peace Officer would be "USE COMMON SENSE". If you don't, you can get yourself or the officer killed.
MikeN336
about 3 years ago
10 Comments
A very useful article. When someone talks to me about doing a ride-along I let them know the following.
1) Fill out the ride along application and get you background check early. We are going to check your background, and yes we’ve seen worst.
2) Our officers are requires to check-on 15 minutes prior to their shift so they can respond to calls. Be early and ready to go.
3) Remember that our shift revolves around the publics needs. You may not get off on time, so be prepared for an extended ride-along.
4) It’s not our fault if nothing exciting happens during your ride-along. We don’t control the universe, we only respond to it. With that being said, understand that sometimes it’s quiet and we look forward to a nice shift. Other times we pray too for the world to explode.