I'm going on a ride-along tomorrow and I was wondering what I should bring? What should I wear? What questions should I ask? Etc?

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That size was hurting my eyes. Fixed.

Edited March 23, 201214 yr by Harper

I think you should NOT bring weapons lol. Wear something nice. And ask any questions you have!

I'm going on a ride along tomorrow and I was wondering what I should bring? What should I wear? What questions should I ask? Etc?

whats all this background stuff and what limar said

Call the department and ask them. Also, you could PM Bailey23 here (he's an RL sheriff's deputy).

Khakis and a polo are acceptable. Nice tennis shoes or comfortable dress shoes (you may have to get out of the car and may be on your feet a lot). Jacket because most officers run the A/C in their car, (you get hot in those vests!) and obviously depending on your climate as well. Most departments (here in WA anyway) don't allow civilian riders to exit the vehicle on calls. As said above ask any questions you have, most officers like to show off their gadgets so the what's this button what's that for questions are accepted ; )

Also, DON'T ask things like "have you ever shot anyone?" Also, from what I've read, ask the officer if it's OK to ask questions before you ask any others, ask them how you should act, and don't interrupt them when they look like they're trying to focus.

I got my second on Saturday. Pretty much you should wear a pair of jeans and hoodie/jacket. Thats what I wore since he kept the window down. I did ask questions about "How many people have you had to shoot?" or "Ever been shot?" He was cool with all of it. Stop by McDonalds and buy him lunch or what not. Thats what I did. Just be on your best behavior and treat him like a school teacher. Its a lot of fun! :)

I got my second on Saturday. Pretty much you should wear a pair of jeans and hoodie/jacket. Thats what I wore since he kept the window down. I did ask questions about "How many people have you had to shoot?" or "Ever been shot?" He was cool with all of it. Stop by McDonalds and buy him lunch or what not. Thats what I did. Just be on your best behavior and treat him like a school teacher. Its a lot of fun! :)

just wondering but, what did he say when u asked him if he shot anyone or been shot?

just wondering but, what did he say when u asked him if he shot anyone or been shot?

just wondering but, what did he say when u asked him if he shot anyone or been shot?

He said hes done both

Oh one important thing, when someone talks on the radio and you are asking a question or BS'ing, stop. Plus it's good to pay attention to the way the department radio traffic works, and it gives you something to ask more questions about.

I got my second on Saturday. Pretty much you should wear a pair of jeans and hoodie/jacket. Thats what I wore since he kept the window down. I did ask questions about "How many people have you had to shoot?" or "Ever been shot?" He was cool with all of it. Stop by McDonalds and buy him lunch or what not. Thats what I did. Just be on your best behavior and treat him like a school teacher. Its a lot of fun! :)

It's from 7PM-11PM so no food for us!

Pretty much everything here, also use common sense.

. I did ask questions about "How many people have you had to shoot?" or "Ever been shot?" He was cool with all of it. Stop by McDonalds and buy him lunch or what not. Thats what I did. Just be on your best behavior and treat him like a school teacher. Its a lot of fun! :)

Word of advice to anyone who is not military or law enforcement; do not ask that question ever.. Yes some people are OK with it, but the majority of us are not because we keep getting asked that question, there is no need for people to know if we've ever shot, killed or were shot. It's something that a lot of us won't answer, disclose or dig up.

Word of advice to anyone who is not military or law enforcement; do not ask that question ever.. Yes some people are OK with it, but the majority of us are not because we keep getting asked that question, there is no need for people to know if we've ever shot, killed or were shot. It's something that a lot of us won't answer, disclose or dig up.

It’s not that cut and dry - it really depends on the officer(s) state of mind during such an event (justifiable vs. regret) and that he/she cares on remembering it.

Ask everything you like and don't be boring. He's a person after all. Keep in mind to judge the officer before a certain talk or a question. If he's one of those bad, cocky cops, you won't be pleased as you wanted to.

Edited March 23, 201214 yr by Eagle

Ask everything you like and don't be boring. He's a person after all. Keep in mind to judge the officer before a certain talk or a question. If he's one of those bad, cocky cops, you won't be pleased as you wanted to.

:thumbsup:

I went on one not to long ago and I'm working on another right now as we speak....when I went I wore a black tactical polo, brown, BDU's, and tactical boots. I wore a flashlight, cell phone, my portable radio, all the stuff you really need besides weapons...my ride along officer let me get out of the car and confront people with her...so ask questions such as, "When we're on a traffic stop, would you like for me to stay in the car or get out to take notes or what?" and ask that same question about when you're on the scene of an MVA or any other call for that matter....it's up to the officer himself to let you do those things. So just ask politely and respect their decision no matter what it is. You'll have a great time! I did.

It’s not that cut and dry - it really depends on the officer(s) state of mind during such an event (justifiable vs. regret) and that he/she cares on remembering it.

That's why I would advise not to ask that question; It's something a lot of us don't want to remember, especially those who have suffered stress related injuries.

Kind of get's annoying when all day everyday, when you get asked... "Have you shot someone?", "Have you killed someone?", "What's it like to kill someone?", "Have you gone to war?". And this is from first hand experience, being in the military and having worked with the police.

Edited March 23, 201214 yr by Comm

I may be too late to this thread, but for those who intend to do ride-alongs in the future it is important to speak with the officer at the beginning of the ride along about his/her expectations of you. When I have riders I typically judge who the person is and then let them know what I expect of them. If I think they are mature and can handle what they might see, I typically let those types of people get out of the car and come with me. I usually don't allow my riders to get out of the car on traffic stops, though. I tell all of my riders that if I end up getting into a fight, that means WE got in a fight and you had better be helping me. If anything, it gets them pumped up for the shift

The best way to handle the situation if you'd like to ask them about shooting a suspect or being shot is to simply ask the officer if he/she has been involved in any on-duty deadly force situations and if so what that experience taught the officer. They will either explain and go into detail or not, but it will appear more professional than asking if they have shot somebody.

As for attire, call and ask the agency you are riding with. Some require a business-like image, while others are ok with casual clothing. Some also forbid a rider from wearing clothing associated with law enforcement or appearing to look like an officer, so it is going to depend on where you ride. The policy at my sheriff's office for ride-alongs is that men dress in a business-like outfit (button down shirt and tie with nice pants), but I typically have the rider lose the tie once they get in the car with me.