LOS SANTOS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
INTRODUCING AND GUIDELINES FOR PATROL RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM
The Los Santos County Sheriff’s Department offers interested citizens and students the opportunity to directly observe law enforcement activities through participation in a station ridealong program. To participate in the program, applicants must meet program eligibility criteria and agree to all conditions listed in this memo.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Persons residing, working, or attending school within sheriffs Station’s service area are eligible to participate in the ride-along program at sheriffs Station. Applicants from outside sheriffs Station’s service area may apply and participate upon approval of the station’s Community Relations Unit.
- Applicants must complete all required forms, provide all required information and either receive approval through the Station’s Sheriff's Information Bureau Unit, or receive the signed approval of the on-duty Watch Commander before riding along.
- Individuals are allowed to participate in a ride-along session once in a twelve-month period.
- Applicants with significant criminal history or pending criminal cases might not be eligible to ride along.
IF PROCESSING WITH L.S.S.D., YOU MUST OBTAIN AND SUBMIT AN AUTHORIZATION MEMO FROM YOUR BACKGROUND INVESTIGATOR AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION[/center]
- To start the application process, applicants must complete an Application Request for Patrol Car Ride-Along form and submit it to [Patrol Car Ride-Along] Application Request for Patrol Car Ride-Along Applications must be submitted at least three-days in advance of the desired ride-along date in order to allow time for processing.
- Upon approval, a Station representative will reply the applicant to schedule a date or time for the ride-along session.
- A ride-along session will consist of one eight-hour shift on either a Day or PM shift unless other arrangements are made in advance.
- Before the ride-along session, the applicant Observer must submit the following forms, properly completed, signed, and witnessed, as appropriate:
- Introducing and Guidelines for Patrol Car Ride-Along Program
- Participation Rules and Conditions for Patrol Car Ride-Along Program
- Application Request include Agreement Assuming Risk of Injury or Damage, Waiver and Release of Claims and Indemnity Agreement for Patrol Car Ride-Along Program
- Observer must be free from any criminal record without exception.
- The Observer must notify the Station Watch Deputy as soon as possible prior to the scheduled ride-along if unable to attend the ride-along.
- Observers must wear appropriate, safe, and conservative attire for the ride-along session (dress or business-casual shoes, pants, shirts, blouses, and jackets). Not
permitted are: denim jeans; t-shirts; shorts; dresses and skirts; clothing that does not cover appropriate areas of the body; clothing that contains graphics, pictures or slogans; hats; high-heeled or open-toed shoes; and sandals. The appropriateness of attire is up to the discretion of the on-duty Watch Commander. - Observers must wear and prominently display an “Observer” badge. The badge will be issued when the Observer reports for the ride-along session. Observers must bring photo identification (such as a driver’s license), which will be exchanged for the Observer ID badge at the beginning of the ride-along session. Upon completion of the ride-along session, the Observer’s identification will be returned.
- Observers are under the supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander and individual deputy to whom the Observer is assigned. The ride-along session can be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Watch Commander.
- Observers shall not leave the radio car while at the scene of any police activity without the permission of the supervising deputy.
- Observers shall not converse with detainees, suspects, prisoners, witnesses, victims, and/or other parties contacted during the course of the ride-along unless directed or requested to do so by the supervising deputy.
- Observers shall not interfere with the deputy’s activities at any time. Questions regarding procedures and activities are highly encouraged; however; please wait until an appropriate time to ask these questions.
