GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: RIDE-A-LONGS
EFFECTIVE DATE: N/A BY FUNCTION
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
Embedded Files
RIDE-A-LONGS
405.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for a ride-along with members of the Lincoln Police Department. This policy provides the requirements, approval process, hours of operation and member responsibilities for ride-alongs.
405.2 POLICY
Ride-along opportunities will be provided to the members of the public, City employees including City Council members, County Chamber of Commerce members, and members of this department or others as approved by the Chief of Police to observe and experience, first-hand, various functions of the Lincoln Police Department. The term "ride-along" includes riding as a passenger with an officer on patrol or observing the work day of members engaged in other functions within the Department, such as Communications.
405.3 ELIGIBILITY
A ride-along is available to City of Lincoln residents and business owners, County Chamber of Commerce members, and those employed within the City of Lincoln, including City Council members. Efforts will be made to accommodate all interested persons. However, any applicant may be disqualified without cause from participating.
Factors that may be considered in disqualifying an applicant include, but are not limited to:
• Being under 18 years of age.
• Prior criminal history.
• Pending criminal action.
• Pending lawsuit against this department or the city.
• Denial by the Chief of Police.
405.4 AVAILABILITY
A ride-along or job observation is available most days of the week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Exceptions to this schedule may be made as approved by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
405.5 REQUESTS TO PARTICIPATE
Generally, ride-along and job observation requests will be maintained and scheduled by the Watch Commander. The applicant will complete and sign a Liability Waiver and Release Agreement and a Non-Disclosure Confidentiality Agreement form. Information requested will include a valid state-issued identification card or driver's license number, birth date, address and telephone number.
A date will be scheduled, based on availability, after the date of application.
If the request is denied, a representative of this department will advise the applicant of the denial.
405.6 PROCEDURES
Once approved, ride-along applicants will be allowed to participate no more than once every six months. An exception may apply to the following law enforcement-involved participants:
Chaplains
Lincoln Police Department applicants
Any others with approval of the Chief of Police
An effort will be made to ensure that no more than one member of the public will participate in a ride-along or job observation during any given time period. Normally, no more than one ride-along participant will be allowed in department vehicles at any given time.
405.6.1 CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK
All ride-along applicants are subject to a criminal history check. The criminal history check may include a local records check and a Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center check prior to approval of the ride-along.
405.6.2 SUITABLE ATTIRE
Any person approved to participate in a ride-along is required to be suitably dressed in a collared shirt, blouse or jacket, slacks, and shoes. Sandals, t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, ripped or torn pants, and hats and ball caps are not permitted. The Watch Commander or a supervisor may refuse a ride-along to anyone who is not dressed appropriately.
405.7 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
The assigned department member shall consider the safety of the ride-along or job observation participant at all times. The member shall maintain control over the participant and shall instruct the individual about the conditions that necessarily limit his/her participation. Instructions should include:
(a) The participant will follow the directions of the department member.
(b) The participant will not become involved in any investigation, handling of evidence, discussions with victims or suspects, reading an individual's criminal history or other protected information, or handling any police department equipment.
(c) Participation may be terminated at any time by the member if the participant interferes with the performance of the member's duties.
1. If the ride-along is in progress, the member may return the participant to the point the ride originated.
(d) Participants may be allowed to continue a ride-along during the transportation and booking process, provided it does not jeopardize their safety.
(e) Members will not allow participants to be present in any location or situation that would jeopardize the participant's safety or cause undue stress or embarrassment to a victim or any other member of the public.
(f) Participants who are not law enforcement officers shall not be permitted to accompany the department member into a private residence without the express consent of the resident or other authorized person.
The member assigned to provide a ride-along shall advise the communications officer that a ride-along participant is present in the vehicle before going into service. An officer with a ride-along participant should use sound discretion when encountering a potentially dangerous situation, such as a high-speed pursuit and, if feasible, let the participant out of the vehicle in a well-lit public place. The communications officer will be advised of the situation and as soon as practicable have another department member respond to pick up the participant at that location. The ride-along may be continued or terminated at this time.
Conduct by a person participating in a ride-along that results in termination of the ride, or is otherwise inappropriate, should be immediately reported to the Watch Commander.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse