Ridealongs

[slolightbar]

I will be going on a ridealong very shortly? I have a couple of questions. What should I wear? What should I have with me (flashlight, etc.) if anything? What are things that you appreciate and dont apreciate about riders? Thanx for the input!

[vbrenner]

Don't bring a flashlight, scanner or other equipment...Wear casual clothing (shirt with a collar, pants that aren't too faded and shoes, not sandals)...no clothes with logos or anything...

Pet peeves about ridealongs...DON'T TOUCH ANY OF THE RADIOS OR SWITCHES!!! Don't try to talk to the officer when s/he is writing reports...And bring money to pay for your dinner...

[RaychelR]

And while you are at it, bring money for the officer's dinner. LOL

Just kidding. In all seriousness.. some departments require you to wear certain type clothing such as black pants and a white shirt. Check with the PD you are riding with to be certain.

Don't bug the officer. Kind of get a feel for the officer first and that will give you an indication of how much you hould talk. I rode with an officer once who apparantly did not like riders and we hardly talked teh entire ride-along.

The only equipment I would bring is perhaps a notepad if you want to take notes or something. Don't bring a flashlight, mace weapons etc..

Have fun!

[slolightbar]

I know the Seargent I will be riding with very wel, so I dont think I will need to be so uptight. Also, I will be riding graveyard. any other help?

PS. Graveyard on a Fri. Night!

[This message has been edited by slolightbar (edited 11-16-2000).]

[GDenman]

Most ride-alongs are asked to stay in the car on report calls & traffic stops. If that is not the case where you will be, keep in mind that you are someone else that he or she will have to protect & look out for, so don't put yourself in a position that gets in the way, regardless of whether the situation is dangerous or not.

Since you & the Sgt. get along pretty well, talk & ask plenty of questions. It will help to keep you both awake. Good luck & enjoy! Friday nights are prime time!

[movista]

I give my riders a basic knowledge of the equipment...radio, channel, shotgun lock switch, AR-15 safety switch, etc....just in case things go really bad, they wont be sitting ducks and could save their own life and possibly mine. Other than that, let's kick the tires and light the fires and have a good time.

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Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the presence of justice.

[FinCop]

Originally posted by slolightbar:
What should I have with me (flashlight, etc.) if anything?

Dear Friend,

I do not know how it is in your country, but in Finland this goes this way by the law. Additional equipment must not be used! Do not take anything with you (exept some money). Clothing is different but a knife, a flashlight etc. might be against the policy of law. I am very convinced that you can call to your contact person and he will give you advices. I for example can have shoes and gloves, everything else comes from the department. I am so called auxiliary officer (asked for duty in special situations, not working every day for police dept.). In USA, Germany and Finland as far as I know we have similar groups (Police Reserve, I suppose). Are you attending similiar training? Anyway very nice to hear, that there is a lot of people out there who are interested in police work.

[Dana]

I just recently went on a ride along on a Friday night. I asked questions such as what if situations and really tried to look around and be another pair of eyes for the officer, make his job a little eaiser. They appreciate any help they can get as long as you don't get in the way or mess with any of the equipment. Your basically their to observe and interview. Have fun and think safe.

[204]

I have been riding almost weekly since July,so i know alot on this subject.First of all are you a just an interested civilian,esxplorer,in the academy or in L.E related college course?First of all I am guessing you are not an eplorer,or yopu would just go in uniform,andif you are in the academy I am sure you would wear that uniform.General citizen eh?Well lets say dress conservative,and appropriate,khakis,polos,nice shoes.Also remember take a shower use deodorant, brush your teeth,shave.Always stay in the car unless told otherwise,do not speak during report writing or while waiting for dispatch to return with a plate or subject information.Also be friendly,and respectful try to think of how you would want someone to act if they were coming to observe you doing your own job.
Have Fun

[slolightbar]

I am very interested in Law Enforcement, and am thinking about entering the academy. Thanx for all who have replied. Anyone else?

[kd5hqd]

I'm not a cop, but I do know the officers in my city's department and they are very nice and informative. What I've heard so far is all true. Don't bug them, especially when writing and waiting for info from dispatch. Also, don't mess with anything unless told you can mess with it. Other than that, have fun, and I can't wait until I'm old enough to go on a ride along.
http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif
Kyle

[slolightbar]

Ok guys, tomorrows the nite! Any other info for me to use? Thanks to all who have posted, and keep them coming!

[nightcop]

My best advise is do whatever the officer tells you to do. Try to stay out of the way when he is trying to arrest someone. If the officer goes into a private residence stay outside. We recently had a department in our area get sued because a ride along went into a private residence. The Supreme Court ruled that you can't. The one thing I always tell people that ride along with me is that if a get in a foot chase stay on my heels but don't run past me and if you see me or other officers pulling our weapons get behind cover and don't move. Other than that have fun and if the officer likes to talk ask a lot of questions. I personally like to talk to ride alongs about the job and why we do what we do especially someone interested in LE. I even let my last ride along who was starting the academy the next week handle some of the radio traffic.

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It's not how a man dies that is remembered. It's how he lived.

[Monty Ealerman]

nightcop:

This isn't really a big deal, but you said:

I even let my last ride along who was starting the academy the next week handle some of the radio traffic.

Unless the recruit is already hired, this would be forbidden by most departments, because it could result in a citation from the FCC.

The FCC broadcasting license for your department's police frequency has specific rules for who is allowed to broadcast, and that generally will include only departmental personnel and those summoned by them to their aid.

Regards,

Monty