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Policy 605 - Ride-Along Program

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I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide citizens and
interested persons an opportunity to observe police
patrol activities and procedures; and to provide an
overall view of the police officers' duties. This
program is NOT intended to be used for training purposes
by citizens or interested persons who desire to become
police officers.

II. POLICY

A. GENERALLY

1. Through the cooperation of the Chief of Police, it
shall be the policy of the Pine Bluff Police
Department to maintain a citizen ride-along
program. This shall be accomplished to further
advance the police department's efforts and
initiatives with regard to the general concepts of
community-based policing.

2. Department activities such as undercover operations
or other investigative operations are inappropriate
for ride-along assignments without the express
approval of the Chief of Police.

3. Members of the news media may participate in the
ride-along program, subject to the provisions of
this policy.

B. SPECIFICALLY

1. Prospective ride-along candidates must make written
application and must execute a written agreement and
release (i.e., waiver of liability (Appendix 13).
Prospective ride-along candidates, who have not
reached twenty-one (21) years of age, must be
accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the time
of making the ride-along application. The parent or
legal guardian will be required to sign the release
and agreement on behalf of the child or ward.

2. Prospective ride-along candidates must exhibit
suitable proof of age and identification at the time
of application. No ride-along request will be granted
unless the application is received forty-eight (48)
hours prior to the desired ride.

3. All applicants must submit to a police records check.

4. In certain situations, the presence of ride-along
participants may be deemed a violation of a citizen's
right to reasonable expectation of privacy. Therefore,
ride-along participants receive firsthand exposure to
only those situations that may be observed by any
passerby in the community during a given situation.
Ride-along participants are not to be taken onto
private areas without the prior consent of the
property owner or other person with apparent authority
to grant such consent.

5. All applications must be approved by the Chief of
Police or her designee.

6. Forms pertaining to the ride-along program will not be
removed from the police department's main building.
All ride-alongs will only be assigned to full-time
police officers who have successfully completed
his/her entry level probationary period. Upon the
approval of the Chief of Police, specific ride-along
assignment will be made by the patrol division
commander and/or the shift supervisor and/or the
assistant shift supervisor. No more than one ride-along may be assigned to an officer at any given time.
Ride-along observers may not ride longer than eight
(8) consecutive hours during any thirty (30) day
period.

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RIDE-ALONG OBSERVERS

The opportunity to observe police patrol activities is
offered to students and interested persons through the
cooperation of the Chief of Police. Strict adherence to
the following instructions is necessary in order to
safeguard participants, and to minimize the possibility
of interference with normal department activities.

A. Persons riding in the capacity of ride-along are under
the complete control of the regular officer at all
times.

B. Ride-alongs shall not leave the unit at the scene of
any police activity without first obtaining the
permission of the officer, unless, in the absence of
the officer, the person feels that their safety is
jeopardized.

C. All ride-alongs shall wear their seat belts as per
state law.

D. Ride-alongs shall not participate in any police
activity unless directly requested by the officer.

E. Ride-alongs shall not converse with prisoners,
suspects, witnesses or other parties contacted on
police business unless requested by the officer.

F. Ride-alongs shall not interfere with the officers'
activities at any time. Although it is desirable (and
encouraged) for participants to ask questions
regarding procedures and activities, it must be done
at an appropriate time.

G. Ride-alongs shall arrive at the police station fifteen
(15) minutes prior to the ride-along, and will be
returned at the designated time, or at request of the
ride-along.

H. Tape recorders, video recorders or cameras are not
permitted.

I. All ride-alongs must sign a notarized waiver of
liability. Minors are not allowed to participate in
the ride-a-long program.

J. If the ride-along is unable to keep their appointment,
they must notify the Patrol Division Commander as soon
as possible in advance of the date and time scheduled.

IV. RIDE-ALONG DRESS REQUIREMENTS

A. The police department requires that police ride-alongs
be attired at a minimum in casual dress. The clothing
shall be neat, clean, and conservative.

B. Police oriented clothing, material, or paraphernalia
shall not be worn or carried by the ride-along
observer.

C. The Chief of Police, Patrol Division Commander, or the
Shift Supervisor shall refuse any ride-along whom they
have assessed as not appropriately attired.

V. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for the Ride-Along Program must meet at least
one of the following criteria:

A. A resident of the City of Pine Bluff may ride once a
year.

B. A member of a city civic or business organization once
a year unless prior approval has been granted.

C. A member of the Citizen's Police Academy or Citizen's
Police Academy Alumni Association. CPA Graduates are
authorized to ride once a quarter.

D. A city employee whose positions would be enhanced by
knowledge of Department operating procedure.

E. A current applicant for a sworn or non-sworn position
with the Department.

F. Law enforcement officers from any law enforcement
agency.

G. Law Enforcement Explorer Scouts that have received
prior approval from their Post Advisor.

H. Family members of department sworn or non-sworn
members. Family members shall only be allowed to ride once a year and shall not ride with any employee that is a family member, unless
prior approval is gained.

I. Members of the clergy, public service organizations,
the news media, or victim advocate organizations.

J. Other persons whose participation is determined by the
Chief of Police, or their designee, to be in the
interest of the Department.