View Full Version : Police Ride Along?
I did a search and nothing came up so I apologize if this has been discussed before.
Has anyone ever done one? If so, what was it like? Completely boring or actually kind of interesting?
For any LEO's, how do you feel about ride alongs? Is it annoying to have a civilian in the car with you?
Just kind of curious about it. I thought it might give a new perspective if you could see it from their point of view.
Mostly boring, but not necessarily. Helps if you know the officer before hand. I got to clear a house and write a ticket. At the end of the day a call came over the radio about a bank robbery in progress. I got all excited but the officer just blew it off and said most of the time it is just a false alarm.
I thought you were looking to become a cop, and I was going to tell you to go talk to Doogie so he could refresh you of how his career as a LEO went.
Good thing cop cars are not manual transmissions! :)
I spoke with someone that got their POST and said they were having a hard time getting on the force. Prob budget related.
DingleBerns
04-22-2013, 10:58
It's only annoying when I get a 16 year old who is doing it because he/she wants/has to. Doesn't ask any questions, doesn't respond to my questions, and doesn't seem interested. Yes it can be boring but you can't make a robbery happen. If your looking to get in or want to know more about what goes on, then do it.
Big Wall
04-22-2013, 11:00
I did a ride along with my brother in Idaho Springs. We aided the county with a felony arrest, had a shots fired call and wrote a lot of tickets. Considering it was a Monday night in a small town, it wasn't too boring. It was very interesting to see that side of things.
brokenscout
04-22-2013, 11:01
I know some guys that get a ride along to detox a lot of weekends:) JK curious also. does State Patrol do ride alongs
Mostly boring, but not necessarily. Helps if you know the officer before hand. I got to clear a house and write a ticket. At the end of the day a call came over the radio about a bank robbery in progress. I got all excited but the officer just blew it off and said most of the time it is just a false alarm.
I thought you were looking to become a cop, and I was going to tell you to go talk to Doogie so he could refresh you of how his career as a LEO went.
Eh, It's crossed my mind but I'm pretty happy with my gig now. Law enforcement is just an interest at this point.
OneGuy67
04-22-2013, 11:09
Speaking as a LEO, it depended on the person in the car with me. Most come with expectations and some with unrealistic ones. Some are there for the wrong reasons. I always recommend ride alongs, especially if they are coupled with a citizen's academy. I personally enjoyed the education part of the ride along; to educate someone about what I did and why. Some cops feel they need to entertain the ride along person and thus, go do things they normally do not, like constant traffic stops, or go call to call to provide an impression of being continually busy. The truth is, a lot of time we end up taking calls for service and handle cold calls, simple criminal reports that are boring to the onlooker. The officer shouldn't be putting the rider in a position in which they may be endangered, so having them "clear a house" isn't wise or prudent. Having a rider write a ticket is asinine.
The officer shouldn't be putting the rider in a position in which they may be endangered, so having them "clear a house" isn't wise or prudent. Having a rider write a ticket is asinine.
That's what I thought about clearing the house. The ticket wasn't a traffic stop, it was just some car that had been sitting in front of some house for 3 days and needed to be moved. I just wrote the ticket out of the book, no contact with anyone at all.
As far as the house, a lady came home to find her door open and unlocked, she strongly suspected it was just her kids being irresponsible, but wanted to be safe. The officer I was with called for another officer and we waited out front till he arrived. I thought for sure I'd be standing in the driveway with the lady, but they had me come in with them. I was pretty surprised by that. They basically had me stay a few steps behind them as they went through the house and made sure no one was in there. On a side note, that house had been built onto several times over the years and was like a fun house maze. I'd hate to be on a dynamic entry team having to clear that house for real.
I've gone on several ridealongs with an officer friend of mine. The paper work after an arrest is the only boring part IMO. There is one thing that bothers me first and foremost though, and that was their department's policy that ride along passengers cannot carry any weapons... I've had to lock my ccw in my car safe each time, which I really find ridiculous.
When I've gone, it has always been for the night shift... I've been a witness to numerous traffic stops, several domestics, one suicide watch, a couple altercations at local watering holes (drunk belligerent retards), one vandalism call, one vehicle-broken-into call, but only a single arrest. During the shifts I was present, many other calls occurred but other officers responded. The last time I went, I had to be dropped off at the station for a report of shots fired. First on scene found 9mm and .40 cases, confirming it was a back-and-forth, but no contact with perps, so I got picked right back up...
All in all, it's a great way to experience the gig, to bond with an LEO friend, and as far as I'm concerned it can be a very cheap and entertaining Friday night! If any LEO's on here would like a friendly passenger one Friday or Saturday night, and doesn't have a dept policy against me carrying concealed, I'd love to tag along sometime. I'll ride the whole shift or half, whichever you'd rather. Just shoot me a pm.
So...do you know of any cops who profile people with bumper stickers of certain elected officials? I hope they are out there!
So...do you know of any cops who profile people with bumper stickers of certain elected officials? I hope they are out there!
I know one who WANTS TO, but is a much better man than most, so doesn't act on it. :)
mackbamf
04-22-2013, 12:33
I went on a couple when I was young and it was really interesting, no super exciting calls but still fun. I quickly came to realize all the B.S. they have to put up with, dealing with drunk neighbors and such who can't get along, calling the cops on each other just because they are pissed. Made me think they should enable a law that allows them to crack someone on the head for being a dumbass...
I want to reiterate. The ride along I went on wasn't boring in the sense that it was not worth going. Just that anyone who thinks going on a ride a long will be an excitement packed cop-for-a-day adventure will be sorely disappointed. Dave_L, I know that's not why you were asking.
tmleadr03
04-22-2013, 12:39
My last ride along I did I had my hands behind my back...[facepalm]
My last ride along I did I had my hands behind my back...[facepalm]
Well don't be a criminal.
My last ride along I did I had my hands behind my back...[facepalm]
Sounds like you fell for the old "touch your elbows behind your back" trick.
mackbamf
04-22-2013, 12:45
My last ride along I did I had my hands behind my back...[facepalm] I have ridden in both the front and back seat, much prefer the view from the front...
wctriumph
04-22-2013, 12:50
In Jr. College in CA I went on a ride along with LAPD as part of my administration of justice classes. The officer was called to a drunk and disorderly and he arrested a guy that just would not shut up. In the car the guy was yelling, cussing and when he started spitting the officer "screened" him. It took two screenings to get the guy to just sit and shut up.
I want to reiterate. The ride along I went on wasn't boring in the sense that it was not worth going. Just that anyone who thinks going on a ride a long will be an excitement packed cop-for-a-day adventure will be sorely disappointed. Dave_L, I know that's not why you were asking.
I wasn't looking for a shoot 'em up, movie style ride along. I figured it'd be cool to see the other side. How they approach situations, things they deal with, etc.
I know, sorry if I came off that way. Most people on here aren't looking for that.
Never have been on one. I would like to though
Tinelement
04-22-2013, 13:09
I've done 6
Most were pretty uneventful.
2 were awesome. One in Longmont and one in Chippewa County WI. Involved high speed chases! Totally awesome!
Where does one get a ride along?
lead_magnet
04-22-2013, 13:36
I went on several before becoming a LEO. North Las Vegas PD is fun to ride with most nights, pick a Friday or Saturday and you will see something, you can be sure of that. Having seen that, and doing what I do now, it's amazing how different the job is. I work 6pm to 6am by myself every Sun Mon Tue. I have four towns and 600 square miles all to myself. The approach to things is TOTALLY different. Doing a ride along in a place like this would be a 75% chance of doing hardly anything. I've always wanted to have a Denver cop come ride with me, preferably someone who has never worked a small department, just to get their reaction to being totally alone.
I've done quite a few in my time, pre-Army days of course... One day shift in S. Jeffco Precinct area (Lakewood/Littleton), one swing shift in Jeffco Mountain Precinct, one day shift with my friend when he was the resident deputy in S. Rural Jeffco (Deckers), and one day shift with a K-9 Deputy in Evergreen (Jeffco). Not one of them did the deputy do anything special or out of the norm, although I learned that if you're stopped by a K-9, there's a 90% chance he's gonna get the dog out, just to make sure nothing was missed. But this got me thinking, and I'm wondering if anyone here knows... When I was with the K-9, the dog was trained to scratch at the location it alerts. If that happens to be my car, and the dog scratches the paint, is the Sheriff's Office liable for the fix to the scratched paint? Just wondering on that one.
OneGuy67
04-22-2013, 13:37
Where does one get a ride along?
Most law enforcement agencies offer ride alongs. You normally fill out a request and a release from liability, a cursory background check is performed on you, and you are assigned to an officer for all or part of a shift. Most agencies allow you to pick your shift/times.
When I was with the K-9, the dog was trained to scratch at the location it alerts. If that happens to be my car, and the dog scratches the paint, is the Sheriff's Office liable for the fix to the scratched paint? Just wondering on that one.
No
Citizen_Soldier
04-22-2013, 13:51
I've been on two ride alongs. One with Cheyenne PD and the other with the Laramie PD where I'm currently living. If you're interested in or like law enforcement, I'd say they are really enjoyable experiences that teach you a lot. How exciting depends on what calls you respond to, but obvioiusly 90% of it is going to be boring. Especially because you'll probably be sitting in the passenger seat almost the whole time.
If you're considering a career as an officer, I feel ride alongs are a must. They help you really decide if this is what you really want to do, and additionally provide you with a chance to learn about the department you're applying to. You can also ask the officer you're riding with questions you have about the dept. I know during the hiring process, especially the oral board, I was asked about ride along experience and why I wanted to join that particular department.
SuperiorDG
04-22-2013, 13:57
I did a few about 20 years ago when working on my CJ degree. I saw a lot of stuff. Domestic call and we arrested the wife, double fatality where two guys on a motorcycle hit a stopped bus, DUI hit a stopped car at a light, chased a car at 110 mph, saw a bunch of wrecks. It was fun, but I remember getting in my car after the shift and locking my car doors to drive the 10 blocks to my house.
CroiDhubh
04-22-2013, 14:17
Ride alongs are awesome. Did a lot of them back in my police explorer days and then a few while I was learning more about each of the local and not so local departments when I was in the academy. Even had two citizens and a few dispatchers in training ride with me a few times when I was working the force.
I say do it if you get the chance. Great insight of your local law agency.
They won't let me carry so I don't go.
lead_magnet
04-22-2013, 15:02
They won't let me carry so I don't go.
Every time I've gone, the first the the Officer told me was how to release the shotgun from the car if it need arose.
CroiDhubh
04-22-2013, 15:02
They won't let me carry so I don't go.
*LOL* True that.
motohooligan
04-22-2013, 16:35
They won't let me carry so I don't go.
It's a liability issue. Can you imagine the law suit if a ride along killed someone? Regardless of the legality of the shoot, the department would be sued and would most likely have to settle for lots of $$$.
SuperiorDG
04-22-2013, 16:38
It's a liability issue. Can you imagine the law suit if a ride along killed someone? Regardless of the legality of the shoot, the department would be sued and would most likely have to settle for lots of $$$.
But you as a ride along sign a waver so if you get killed no big deal.
motohooligan
04-22-2013, 16:47
But you as a ride along sign a waver so if you get killed no big deal.
Life's not fair. ;)
I did one on the west side of Chicago. My boss in the reserves was a Tac officer in CPD. Basically three plainclothes officers per car. They gave me a vest and a big maglight. Saw alot of crack. Chased alot of drug dealers and saw one kid with gaping bullet wound in his thigh. Interesting night but all in a nights work for them.
Colorado Osprey
04-22-2013, 18:33
Every time I've gone, the first the the Officer told me was how to release the shotgun from the car if it need arose.
When I had ride-a-longs with people I knew, that was actually the second thing I told them. The 1st was how to work the radio and my call number in case things went sideways.
For those that don't want a boring ride, try Colo Springs PD. Falcon or Gold Hills Division and a patrol officer. Call to call all shift. There is no down time. At end of shift there are usually 30 plus calls waiting.
DingleBerns
04-22-2013, 18:51
When I had ride-a-longs with people I knew, that was actually the second thing I told them. The 1st was how to work the radio and my call number in case things went sideways.
Same here, we also have an emergency button which I make them aware of too.
Can any LEO get me a ride along? I would love to go on one just for shits and grins.
KevDen2005
04-22-2013, 21:01
Depends on who is riding. If it is someone I know, it's usually very easy. But annoying people are no fun. And on top of it all my gear and paperwork has to ride in the back. It's like me going to your office and moving your filing cabinet to a very inconvenient part of the building instead of next to your computer.
KevDen2005
04-22-2013, 21:02
Can any LEO get me a ride along? I would love to go on one just for shits and grins.
Depends on the agency policy. Some agencies are more strict about who rides and when than other agencies. Just contact the agency to find out. It's usually on their website.
gnihcraes
04-22-2013, 21:23
I did one in 86, highschool. Several of us knew the officer through school events. Was mostly boring, but did have some good points:
while clearing a house; "I hate finding dead people she says"
Driving around... "I love driving over curbs in a caprice" :>
Picked up a DUI driver, which was good, since we as students were part of a Drinking and Driving awareness campaign at school. [Pepsi]
KestrelBike
04-22-2013, 21:27
I did one in 86, highschool. Several of us knew the officer through school events. Was mostly boring, but did have some good points:
while clearing a house; "I hate finding dead people she says"
Driving around... "I love driving over curbs in a caprice" :>
Picked up a DUI driver, which was good, since we as students were part of a Drinking and Driving awareness campaign at school. [Pepsi]
Ahh was she cute? (The officer)
gnihcraes
04-22-2013, 21:35
Ahh was she cute? (The officer)
She was attractive. I wonder to this day how her career played out, lost track of her years ago. Retired now I'm sure.
I went on two, as a part of the Aurora Citizen's police academy. One officer preferred silence, while the other loved questions and chatting. There were some interesting stops: DUI, burglaryand a runaway teenage girl. I enjoyed it very much.
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