ridealongs

[1812cop]

Why does it seem like the FNG always gets the civilian ride alongs?? Right when I got off training I didnt get any. My station is the busiest in the county and we get a lot of college type and young people who want to ride with us. The supervisor always gives them to me. I ask why and the just say because I'm the boot.

[cajuncop]

The reason behind it is that most of the new guys tend to be more proactive and aggressive in the field, as opposed to someone who has been there 10 to 15 years.

If you put a ride along with a 10 year corporal who does nothing more than sit around and drink coffee, then the ride along is gonna think that all police officer's do that.

I used to be in your exact shoes and occassionaly I still accept ride alongs, even after being here four years. :)

[Blue_Chameleon]

Or...as one of my beat partner of 22+ years says, "Sh*t rolls downhill." as he makes a wave motion with his arms from top to bottom...

...I guess I'm at the bottom :D

I don't mind them. As long as they listen to me and be quiet when I tell them to so that I can listen to the radio during critical moments.

[ateamer]

Soon enough you will have seniority and will snicker when the FNG gets the rider. I have had more than my share over the years and now pretty much only take ridealongs when they are friends.

[Sig220Man]

1812,

Don't get me wrong here, but as the "FNG" don't you think that being stuck with ridealongs is simply part of being a rookie?

Everybody above you has had to do the job, and like ateamer said you won't be the FNG forever. Eventually someone else will be at the bottom of the totem pole.

I've heard of slick-sleeved boot-rookie cops having to gas up the cars, or wash the cars. At my department it's customary for FNG's to buy (at their own expense) coffee for the veterans when gathered at the local 7-11. I've also heard that rookie firefighters are the ones who get to do the really nasty jobs, like scrub the toilets.

If the worst thing you have to do is put up with a ridealong, then I personally don't think you have it so bad.

[SF]

I was an explorer before i became a cop. My ride along experience was the greatest training I could have. So when I take ride alongs it doesn't bother me. There is always that one or two that you can see will become good cops someday. Those ride alongs will look back and be thankful that people like us took them around. I never forget the ones that put time in me.

[Zamboni]

FNG's always get the ride alongs because for the most part no one else wants him. Like someone said ***** runs downhill and you get last say in everything. Don't worry pretty soon you won't be the FNG anymore unless you stuck on dayshift. I'm rotting there right now and even though I have six years I'm the FNG on the shift. On nights I'm usually the top or second to top guy.

[kirch]

Let me just comment on this from the other side. I'm in the academy now and I've been on about a dozen ride-alongs in the last couple of years. I can honestly say that I've never felt the officers I've been with ever looked down on the assignment. In all cases they seemed genuinely pleased to have someone to talk to on an 8-hour shift. This goes from relatively new officers all the way up to lieutenants.

[occiferdave]

I love ride alongs...

I tell them my usual speech when getting into the car....

1. Never touch any buttons
2. If I am getting my azz kicked or shot, this is how to call out for help
3. Always know where you are
4. This is to release the shot gun if I am dead

blah blah....

Then feeling empowered... I tell them they are the "cop" for the shift, just tell me where to drive and who to pull over... but they better come up with a good reason for it.

I think it's what you make of it. My ride-alongs leave with a good understanding and respect of what it takes to survive on the street.

[Frank Booth]

.

[PeteBroccolo]

I kind of deal with Ride-Alongs as does occiferdave, although I have to tell them "If I get into grief, jump into the driver's seat and get the hell out of there - I don't want you hurt. But call for help on the radio or cell!"

I REALLY have to take some R-A out again, but between getting in hours for our Auxiliaries, being away on courses, being off on regular days off or leave, it seems like there is never the time.

"So make time!" Yeah, yeah, stop naggin'! Since there are only 2 reasons for talking to one's self while alone in the car, and I am not rich...