Ride along with a cop!

[Big country]

Well I'm supposed to be going on a ride along with one of my LEO uncles. Anyone (mainly LEO's or someone that's done this before) have any advice on what to expect?

 

[30+GSXR]

I wanna go I always wanted to be LEO, but the wife hates that idea.

 

[txinvestigator]

Well I'm supposed to be going on a ride along with one of my LEO uncles. Anyone (mainly LEO's or someone that's done this before) have any advice on what to expect?

I had several ride-alongs during my career as a cop;

Be prepared to ask questions after calls and while enroute. Never ask or interfere while the officer is interacting with others or working a call, UNLESS for his safety.

Don't engage in too much small talk in the car. He is listening to every call on the police radio.

If you are a CHL holder ASK the officer if you plan on carrying. They may not allow it.

Obey ALL instructions given by your uncle or other officers.

Be prepared for an interesting evening.

 

[Big country]

Thanks TI That is what I was getting at. I wasn't to sure what to expect. I have ridden with my dad in his old patrol car back when he was an S/O deputy but not while he was on duty, hell I even drove his car home from the mechanics shop once. (with his COs approval of course) and that was an experience. I have never seen so many people slam on their brakes at one time before. LOL! I don't have the CHL so that's not an issue for me. Another thing is what if he makes an arrest while I'm with him? I'm assuming that another officer will ride them in but I don't know anything for sure. So any advice or incite helps. LOL!

 

[kingofwylietx]

I've ridden with a couple of friends. I guess I'll tell you what they told me, sometimes it's really exciting and sometimes it's very boring. The most surprising thing about the experiences, was the amount of paperwork they have to do. There can be a lot of paperwork, depending on what you encounter.

One buddy said that I could carry (CHL), the other just told me how to unlock the shotgun if things went bad.

Both experiences were very positive and a lot of fun.

 

[txinvestigator]

Another thing is what if he makes an arrest while I'm with him? I'm assuming that another officer will ride them in but I don't know anything for sure. So any advice or incite helps. LOL!

I won't offer you any incite, but I have some insight.

Some officer like ride alongs, some don't. If you run across an officer who seem stand offish don't be offended. It is the nature of the beast. I imagine, though, since you are riding with your uncle you will be treated as family.

If the patrol car has a cage then any arrests will be handled as usual. If not, then I imagine either another car will transport or another officer will ride in back with the prisoner.

DO NOT act like you are one of the guys. You are NOT one of these guys. These folks work together in dangerous conditions and the bond that creates is strong and unusual to civilians. But don't be a wall flower either.

Most of all, enjoy yourself.

 

[Big country]

I won't offer you any incite, but I have some insight.

I was in a hurry! LOL!

Some officer like ride alongs, some don't. If you run across an officer who seem stand offish don't be offended. It is the nature of the beast. I imagine, though, since you are riding with your uncle you will be treated as family.

If the patrol car has a cage then any arrests will be handled as usual. If not, then I imagine either another car will transport or another officer will ride in back with the prisoner.

DO NOT act like you are one of the guys. You are NOT one of these guys. These folks work together in dangerous conditions and the bond that creates is strong and unusual to civilians. But don't be a wall flower either.

Most of all, enjoy yourself

Yeah I learned not to act like one of the guys while working with Troopers on a post so at least I've that experience to guide what not to say and when it's okay to say what when and how. Thanks I'm off now I'll let y'all know how it went.

 

[Skip]

Remember....NO doughnut jokes...lol

 

[lonestar]

That pretty much sums it up really. If the LEO is acting like a sourpuss don't worry. Some people see it as an inconvience to have a ride-along, however like stated earlier since it's family I don't think that'll be a problem. Are you interested in becoming a LEO or just wanted tos ee the life for a bit? If interested please feel free to shoot me a PM anytime, i have a whole book of knowledge for ya Either way, have fun and learn.

I had several ride-alongs during my career as a cop;

Be prepared to ask questions after calls and while enroute. Never ask or interfere while the officer is interacting with others or working a call, UNLESS for his safety.

Don't engage in too much small talk in the car. He is listening to every call on the police radio.

If you are a CHL holder ASK the officer if you plan on carrying. They may not allow it.

Obey ALL instructions given by your uncle or other officers.

Be prepared for an interesting evening.

 

[jordanmills]

I'm eventually supposed to go on a couple with buddies in the local PD. Figure it can't hurt to get face time with cops as one of the good guys, or at least one of the not-necessarily-bad guys.

 

[DCortez]

Donuts, coffee, donuts, coffee, donuts, coffee, and if you're lucky ... you'll get to beat a hippy!

 

[TxEMTP69]

mmm donuts

 

[TxEMTP69]

i'd take the beating a hippy over the coffee anyday

+ 1

 

[txinvestigator]

I think EVERYONE should go on one.

I was assigned a woman who showed up right on time, got into the car and flat told me, "the only reason I am doing this is to find out why cops have such chips on their shoulders". I just smiled and told her I would do my best.

Funny thing about being in the police car. She could SEE the radar and how it was CLEAR the car was speeding, but the person was argumentative and denied speeding. It was as if HER integrity was being attacked, and slowly over the night instead of it being her against the cops it was those mean, wrong people against US. (me and her).

We had a good variety of calls and dealt with drunks, an assault, several domestics, etc. By the end of the night she told me what a tough job cops have and how disrespectful some people were, and she was amazed at the restraint we showed in many situations.

She actually wrote a letter to the Chief about the ride, praising me, the department and saying how she now fully supported her PD.

I put that one in the "win" column. ;

 

[Bigs Wife]

Well big ended up not going because of christmas present shoppin.. he wanted me to tell u

 

[DCortez]

Well big ended up not going because of christmas present shoppin.. he wanted me to tell u

Tell Big he needs to do what we talked about earlier

 

[MadMo44Mag]

I've done it several times and what TI is tellin is the facts.
It's their job and you are in their world so listen up and pay attention.
It can go from bored as hell to all hell breaking loose.
On night we went from just cruising to 120mph response to a call of gun shots fired at a local motel where the tweekers hung out.
I was told to stay in the car but between the radio and what I could see and hear with the windows down - that was a rush.
You never know.
Afterward I was informed that normally he would not have responded to that call because of a ride along but since he had known me for 10 years and I had always done what I was told he did not have any worries - lucky for me cause that was way cool.
I've ridden with my daughter and her partner a few times and on a robbery call they left me on the curb about 3 blocks away. Two hours later my daughter called and gave me a number to call a cab. They had the suspect and they were to transport and no way I could go.
When the chance come jump on it!

 

[Hawghauler]

I've done it several times and what TI is tellin is the facts.
It's their job and you are in their world so listen up and pay attention.
It can go from bored as hell to all hell breaking loose.
On night we went from just cruising to 120mph response to a call of gun shots fired at a local motel where the tweekers hung out.
I was told to stay in the car but between the radio and what I could see and hear with the windows down - that was a rush.
You never know.
Afterward I was informed that normally he would not have responded to that call because of a ride along but since he had known me for 10 years and I had always done what I was told he did not have any worries - lucky for me cause that was way cool.
I've ridden with my daughter and her partner a few times and on a robbery call they left me on the curb about 3 blocks away. Two hours later my daughter called and gave me a number to call a cab. They had the suspect and they were to transport and no way I could go.
When the chance come jump on it!

That was just a trick of your daughters to ditch you Mo. Dispatcher was probably in on it and it cost her a dozen Bavarian Cremes.

 

[30+GSXR]

Remember....NO doughnut jokes...lol

lol good one

 

[TxEMTP69]

I think EVERYONE should go on one.

I was assigned a woman who showed up right on time, got into the car and flat told me, "the only reason I am doing this is to find out why cops have such chips on their shoulders". I just smiled and told her I would do my best.

Funny thing about being in the police car. She could SEE the radar and how it was CLEAR the car was speeding, but the person was argumentative and denied speeding. It was as if HER integrity was being attacked, and slowly over the night instead of it being her against the cops it was those mean, wrong people against US. (me and her).

We had a good variety of calls and dealt with drunks, an assault, several domestics, etc. By the end of the night she told me what a tough job cops have and how disrespectful some people were, and she was amazed at the restraint we showed in many situations.

She actually wrote a letter to the Chief about the ride, praising me, the department and saying how she now fully supported her PD.

I put that one in the "win" column. ;

I also think they should ride out with local EMS, sit in dispatch for an 8 or 12 hour shift and see all that goes on. I think alot of people change their tune when they see the "truth".

and please don't drag this into there are bad apples... we all know there are bad apples in every bunch.