officers????

Question

Do you like doing "ride alongs" why or why not...I am going to go to my local PD and ask if i can go for a ride along or volunteer in the station...

Answer 1

Yes and No.

Yes I like ride alongs, because it lets more of the community know what we actually do and not what they see on TV shows like COPS, CSI, and misrepresented News Reports where everything is out of context. Most riders have not a clue what law enforcement is about and there are a lot of myths out there. Such as if I ask if your a police officer, you have to tell me even if your undercover or I'm gonna walk, because you did not read me my rights when I was arrested.

I think if the community learns what we can and can not do, then they will be able to help us more effectively do our job.

If like the other poster said and the rider is motivated and listens to what I have to say, it makes things a lot smoother.

However, I also hate ride alongs. depending on the rider. I have had riders that stink, are obnoxious, and out right rude. I have had riders not listen to a word I say, and throw their two cents in on traffic stops to offenders. I usually drop them right back off at the department after I figure them out.

Also it's an evasion of privacy. You get use to having your car your way. My patrol bag sits nicely in the passenger seat and I know right were everything is. With a rider all my gear goes into the trunk.

Also there are a lot of questions to answer. So when I'm typing a report up, they want questions answered and thats what they are there for. So I fall behind on my reports causing me to not be as pro-active, or I really want to show them the fun stuff so instead of doing my reports I become to pro-active and get swamped in paper work at the end of the shift.

It's a love hate relationship, but one that is a must. There is no better way to relate to the community and let them know how good or bad your department is. My department gets a lot of equipment and funding for training due to donations from riders who respect our job.

Answer 2

Ride alongs are good as it gives those who want a good look at what police work is really like. We have to put up with a lot of crap...including the guy above (Sardine) trying to make cops and PIs look bad. The only bad thing about ride alongs.....if you do one...you will be hooked and want to become an officer. Don't say I didn't warn ya!

Answer 3

Wow.... please don't listen to the other guy who just answered this question. He's the reason so many people hate cops...

Anyway, I love ride-alongs.... on condition. I love the ride-alongs who are motivated and excited, ask me questions, and seem to learn. I don't like ride-alongs who ask me if I wish I could have a different color uniform and how often I cut my hair. (???)

I love ride-alongs who remember that they are ride-alongs, not cops. I don't like ride-alongs who approach my complainants and begin interrogating them.

I love ride-alongs who look professional, because it helps my complainants feel more comfortable with them around. I don't like ride-alongs who come in with their newest "Police Inbreastigator" T-shirt and the jeans they've had since 10th grade. Remember, people who call cops are usually already under stress. The last thing they want to see is some messy kid oggling them as they talk about their problems. They want to feel secure and a professional demeanor helps that happen.

I like ride-alongs who will do what I tell them, when I tell them. I don't like ride-alongs who ask me "why?" when I give a command and then pout about what I've asked them to do.
To clarify this... if you go on a ride-along, whether you believe/know it or not, the officer's first concern is your safety. The last thing they want to see is you get hurt, and they will do everything to prevent that from happening. So, if a police officer tells you to stay in the car while they approach a person or a scene, then stay in the car. If they tell you to be quiet, be quiet. 99.999% of the time, they are simply trying to keep you safe. You'll definitely get a better feel for this once you're with the officer. For the most part, I'm very casual, easy-going, and friendly. I like to make jokes, and I smile damn-near all of the time. So, when suddenly I get very serious and in a commanding voice say, "Get back in the car", I expect my ride-along to do it immediately and without question, with the hopes that they understand I'm only trying to protect them. So, just be aware - a police officer's first priority is to go home safe that night. But once you get in the car with them, their first priority becomes you.

So, all-in-all, I love ride-alongs. It helps keep me company, breaks up the monotony, and helps me do my job better because I have to explain what I'm doing and I have to make sure what I'm explaining is correct. So, by all means, request that ride-along. And good luck!

Answer 4

In my city, the officers don't do ride alongs...the sergeants do them and not every citizen can do them...I am a cop and I would not want a ride along...That's just one more person who you have to look out for.