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AC 04 Ride-Alongs

Last modified by Ryan Larkin on 2022/03/01 17:32

Washington County Sheriff's Office

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume: AC

County Vehicles

Chapter: 04

Ride-Alongs

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

681.00

Published:

10/19/2011

Review Date:

03/01/2022

Sheriff Nate Brooksby

Undersheriff Barry Golding

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AC 04_101  Definitions

AC 04_102  General

AC 04_101  DEFINITIONS

  1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office

AC 04_102  GENERAL

  1. Policy:
    1. Residents of Washington County who do not work for the WCSO may be allowed to ride-along in WCSO vehicles during working shifts as participants in the WCSO Ride-Along Program.
    2. Prior to participation, ride-along passengers must agree to abide by the rules and guidelines of the WCSO Ride-Along Program. This agreement must be acknowledged, in writing, by signing a WCSO Ride-Along Contract and Waiver Form.
    3. Ride-along passengers must be at least 18 years old.
    4. Ride-along passengers shall be clean and neat in appearance. They shall be required to wear dress or casual pants, a collared shirt, and closed-toe shoes.
    5. Ride-along passengers should report to the WCSO in order to begin a ride-along session; passengers should not be picked up at their residence.
    6. Ride-along sessions should be no less than two hours and no more than four hours in duration.
    7. Ride-along passengers should not participate in more than one session every six months.
    8. Ride-along passengers must be pre-approved by the Sheriff or designee. Applicants shall be required to submit to a full criminal background check.
    9. Approved participants shall be assigned to an officer by the on-duty supervisor on the day of the ride-along session.
    10. Immediate family members of a WCSO officer may participate in the WCSO Ride-Along Program.
    11. WCSO employees may not participate as non-paid ride-along passengers, but with Administrative approval may participate and be paid according to their regular pay schedule.
    12. WCSO Special Function and Corrections certified officers who are currently weapons qualified who participate as ride-along passengers shall wear their full duty uniform and may act upon the direction of the law enforcement certified officer.
    13. Non-certified and/or non-weapons qualified WCSO employees shall not wear any items identifying them as officers, shall not carry firearms, and shall not engage in law enforcement officer actions.
    14. Non-WCSO officers may participate in the WCSO Ride-Along Program. They may carry firearms if they are currently employed as a certified peace officer. All program guidelines will apply.
    15. WCSO officers should let off all non-officer, ride-along passengers at a safe location prior to responding to a high-risk call (including pursuits), as determined by the WCSO officer or supervisor. Ride-along passengers shall be picked up after the conclusion of the incident unless other arrangements were made.
    16. Exceptions to the WCSO Ride-Along guidelines may be granted by the Sheriff.
    17. The ride-along passenger, WCSO officer, or supervisor may terminate a ride-along session at any time. If a session is terminated, the ride-along passenger should be returned to the WCSO as soon as practical. If a session is terminated early, a report detailing the explanation shall be forwarded to the Patrol Division Chief Deputy or designated Ride-Along Program supervisor.
  2. Rationale:
    1. A ride-along program may help improve public relations and provide a means whereby citizens and non-WCSO officers may learn about the activities and duties of an on-duty WCSO officer.