police Ride along?

Question

What kind of questions should I ask on a police ride along??
I need as many as possible, the ride along is about 10hours long??

Answer 1

Having had riders that I didn't know before, one thing I appreciated was when they were quiet in spots and didn't just blather questions.
A nice thing to avoid is "have you ever shot anyone?" If I want to talk about something like that, I will probably bring it up.
Ask things like "what made you want to do this job? Do people resent it when you try to help them on a Domestic Violence call? How do you manage your off-time vs. needing to be available for court, etc?"
Enjoy your ride along, but remember you are in that person's "office" for a LONG time and a lot of us enjoy the solitude of the job to think, so just avoid being a "pest" please.

Answer 2

I would ask about how hard it is on their kids at school to have a police officer for a father or mother.

I have seen kids tease police officers' children in the school yard through out my life time and some of the scenarios were really tough and half of these incidents were never reported to the parents since the parents were police officers.

Let me know how it works out.

As I have returned to see what others have said in response to your question it would seem all were police related respondents.

My impression you are asking the non police public what they might want to learn through your police ride along. Keep asking the public as you are bound to find a few good questions that are important.

All these police officers don't seem to like much talking so write these questions in a formal letter you can present to them during the ride as a gesture of good faith not to disturb the bulk of your shift with them.

Perhaps you will receive a formal letter back, but in the least they can answer these questions at their leisure when it is most appropriate to talk.

Answer 3

Be genuine.
Don't just talk to talk, silence is ok too and listening is even better.
If you want to learn from this experience watch, listen, and then ask questions after the incident is over.
Do not interfere with the officers work in any way.
Do not talk just to talk
And do not ask him if he has ever SHOT anyone. They get asked this all the time and it gets old. If they did it was tramatic enough for them the first time and they should not have to talk about it.
Ask what he likes about his job and what he does not like. This will give you a good predictor on where you will want to do this job for the next 50 years.

Back to basics. Easy on the questions, be smart, and have an interest in what is taking place. Learn from this "FREE
RIDE".

Answer 4

Asking question is all fine and good.,but try listening too. Listen to the radio traffic. Listen to how the officer you are with talks on the radio. Having a few good questions already in mind is good, but as things happen and you see things going on, ask about them. If you get into a situation, just be quiet until it is over. Don't be a distraction or an annoyance to your officer. And do what he tells you. He will be trying to keep you safe as well as himself while you're riding with him. Hope you enjoy your ride along!

Answer 5

Id sit still and dont ask a lot of questions the 1st couple of hours...watch and learn first....get a radio code sheet a few days before so you dont have to ask"whats that mean?" every ten seconds..dont bother the cop til he starts letting you know its ok...if he is talking to you and suddenly stops and stares off into space,shut it up at once and wait til he is through listening or looking...dont be a pest....you will learn a lot.....

Answer 6

I would say ask him about his job, most police officers love to talk about thierself, and thier job.

Also only officers who volunteer to have ride alongs have them, so this will be a officer how asked or agreed to this, so they want to tell you most likely more than you will want to know.

Answer 7

Make sure you buy him / her a meal.

Answer 8

Please don't ask them "Do you want a hit off of this doobie".