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Manual of Policy and Procedures / Volume 5 - Line Procedures / Chapter 9 - Miscellaneous Line Procedures

5-09/250.10 - Personnel Responsibility


5-09/250.05 - Responsibility of Observers
5-09/250.15 - Film Crews

The responsibilities of patrol personnel are as follows:

  • Watch Commander or Unit Lieutenant - It shall be the responsibility of the on-duty watch commander or unit lieutenant to ensure that a completed Ride-Along Waiver (SH-AD-173) is properly signed, witnessed, and submitted prior to allowing the ride-along to begin;
  • Dispatching of Calls - If an observer is riding in a regular patrol car, the dispatcher shall be instructed to use discretion in giving "hot" calls obviously involving danger to the car in question; and
  • Dangerous Situations - If, in the judgment of the host deputies, they are entering a dangerous situation, they may, at their discretion, leave the observer in a safe place.

NOTE:  Experience has shown that in many areas it is advisable to keep the observer with the deputy at all times, as the observer's safety can be better ensured with the deputies than without them.  On occasions, the observer has been able to assist the deputies; however, the observer should be permitted to observe as much activity as possible and should not be restricted to the confines of the Department car unless the deputy feels there will be some danger or the observer may interfere with the investigation.  The observer's safety is always of primary concern.

  • Host Deputy - The deputy shall instruct the observer on requirements while he or she is participating in a ride-along.  These should include:
    • The observer shall not accompany a deputy into a private residence without prior verbal approval from the resident;
    • The observer shall not become involved in any investigation by handling evidence, by discussions with the victim or suspects, or by the handling of police equipment;
    • The observer shall follow the directions of the deputies; and
    • The observer may indicate at any time he or she desires to be returned to the station/unit and to cease further participation in the ride-along program and the request will be complied with as soon as possible.

NOTE:  Deputies participating in this program shall respond to calls/locations in an extremely safe manner and while en route shall attempt to brief the observer as to what information he or she is hearing on the police radio.  They shall explain the procedures being applied to the situation and the reason why.  They shall also instruct the observer as to where he or she shall sit or stand upon their arrival at the scene and during the deputy's handling of the situation.

  • Station/Unit Commander - Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving the station/unit commander of their responsibility for the safety of deputies and observers or for the efficient operation of their unit.

Department instructors who teach at the high school junior class level or above should inform their class of the existence of the ride-along program.  If their students are interested in participating in the program, the instructor shall supply the students with the Patrol Car Observation Information form (SH-AD-542), and should caution the students that if the specific request cannot be filled because of too many requests on the same date for the same station/unit, the station/unit will do its best to provide an alternate station/unit or date.

The instructor shall deliver the completed forms to the concerned stations/units.  The stations/units shall then indicate which of the requested dates is approved.  The approved forms shall then be returned to the instructor who shall be responsible for notifying the students.