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West Hollywood Station Unit Orders

Unit Order 28 - Ride-A-Long Program


Unit Order 26 - Notifications
Unit Order 29 - Internal Commendations

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Station Order is to establish unit policy regarding civilian Ride-Along observer procedures.

SCOPE:

This Station Order applies to all station personnel.

ORDER:

All persons applying for, or showing an interest in participating in a patrol ride-along shall be referred to the Watch Sergeant for a screening interview. Ride-along candidates should fall within one of the following categories. The categories are listed in descending order of importance with top priority given to West Hollywood residents.

  • West Hollywood resident
  • Sheriffs Department applicant
  • Friend or relative of a Sheriffs Department employee
  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

The Watch Sergeant will be responsible for screening all ride-along requests and declining persons who do not fall within the categories listed above. The Watch Commander shall be notified of any ride-a-longs.

Following the screening interview, the Watch Sergeant shall place the candidate's name, CDL number, telephone number, the purpose for the ride, and requested shift in the "observer book" in the Watch Sergeant's office.

The Watch Sergeant shall explain to the prospective observer that appropriate business attire shall be worn while participating in the ride-along program.

SCHEDULING GUIDELINES

One ride-along per shift, per day, will be permitted. Ride-a-longs on Friday and Saturday nights will be at the discretion of the Watch Commander. A person may ride-along once every six months.

DESK AND WATCH SERGEANT GUIDELINES

Persons reporting to desk personnel for a ride-along shall show proper identification and their ride ­ along will be confirmed in the "observer book". The observer shall complete and sign a "waiver of responsibility form" prior to issuing the Department standard green observer badge. Discrepancies shall be referred to the Watch Sergeant.

The watch Sergeant will assign the observer to a car, avoiding placing the observer with a trainee. Friends and relatives of station personnel need Watch Commander's approval to ride-along and must ride in a car other than with their friend or relative.