Ride-along "etiquette"

[jatty26]

I'm going on my first ride-along tomorrow night (10/8/04) and was wondering if there are any "unwritten rules" for a ride-along. Questions TO/NOT TO ask, things TO/NOT TO say, things TO/NOT TO do, dress code, just basically what are some things that make a ride along go smoothly. What are things to avoid. Thanks.

[scott715us]

I'm going on my first ride-along tomorrow night (10/8/04) and was wondering if there are any "unwritten rules" for a ride-along. Questions TO/NOT TO ask, things TO/NOT TO say, things TO/NOT TO do, dress code, just basically what are some things that make a ride along go smoothly. What are things to avoid. Thanks.

Dress code will be up to the dept you are riding with. Feel free to ask the officer as many questions as you want, just make sure it's not during a traffic stop or call. Hold the questions till you're back in the vehicle or lunch/dinner break. Most of the time the dept will stick you with an officer that's energetic and will enjoy having a rider. They expect you to ask questions. You will get a "feel" for the officer pretty quickly and just use your judgment as far as askikng questions and deciding whether to "say or not say" particular things. If you are interested in the field, there is never a "dumb" question. ;)

[JD45]

Scott gave good advice. Dress appropriate. No baggie jeans down to your knees or t-shirts with slogans on them. You don't have to wear a suit, but something in between.

I usually let my riders go on all my calls with me, unless its a paticularlly 'hot' call where I think you would get hurt or could unintentionally interfere. I like my riders to ask questions. Common sense says stay away from the stupid ones. "have you ever beat someone", "do you do drugs" etc. The plainly obvious insulting ones not to ask.

If you have a question about a paticular call or traffic stop, wait until its all over and you guys are back in the patrol car.

Other than that, enjoy your ride...

[steelcityk9cop]

General Rules:

1) Don't wear a shirt that says "Police" on it no matter how small the lettering is.
2) Don't bring a gun, hand cuffs, or any other weapon with you.
3) Don't refer to yourself as officer at any time.
4) Leave the slap jack and SAP gloves at home.
5) Don't expect free McDonalds or Starbucks.
6) Don't touch anything inside the car, especially the siren box.
7) Don't taunt the prisioners.
8) Don't decide on your own to start any foot chases.
9) Don't ask to park the car at the end of the shift.
10) Don't say anything like... "Well on COPS they.... or They don't do that on CSI Miami"

Seriously though..... Scott and JD have good advice... there are no dumb questions and dress professionally. When I was doing research projects in college I always wore a sport coat when riding with the PD's.

[JD45]

General Rules:

1) Don't wear a shirt that says "Police" on it no matter how small the lettering is.
2) Don't bring a gun, hand cuffs, or any other weapon with you.
3) Don't refer to yourself as officer at any time.
4) Leave the slap jack and SAP gloves at home.
5) Don't expect free McDonalds or Starbucks.
6) Don't touch anything inside the car, especially the siren box.
7) Don't taunt the prisioners.
8) Don't decide on your own to start any foot chases.<---LOL
9) Don't ask to park the car at the end of the shift.<---ROFLOL
10) Don't say anything like... "Well on COPS they.... or They don't do that on CSI Miami"

Seriously though..... Scott and JD have good advice... there are no dumb questions and dress professionally. When I was doing research projects in college I always wore a sport coat when riding with the PD's.

I'm not making fun of your post in anyway. Just reading those made me laugh because I started thinking of some rider actually doing that...

[JD45]

Damnit, and I can't give you rep for it either. I think I used up my quota already.... :(

[gdowkpc]

The officer may have his own rules and preferences...so just ask him.

I usually only take people that I know. I usually tell them that it is ok to get out of the car unless I tell them not to. There are far more times that a person can get out of a car than can't, and I get sick of saying "You can get out of the car" all the time.

I would also add that the rider should not try to help interview victims. You are an observer, not an interacter. If a victim talks to you, I suppose you could reply in an appropriate matter. But, I would never talk to a suspect, especially the ones under arrest.

[Nuklhed]

All great answers. The biggest one is have fun and dont interfere. Majority of officers like taking ride-alongs and if you havent been exposed to very many Police officers, You will learn that we have a wierd sense of humor that may come out on the ride-along.

As far as what to wear.. I usually tell my friends Dockers or nice jeans and a collared shirt. No designs. You should be fine if you go with all these responses.

Oh and The precentage of officers that have actually fired their guns (At people) is very low. I know that will be one of your first questions though. Have fun.

[Ghost 1]

Do NOT touch anything in the car.