Ride-alongs

[loobett]

I participated in several ride-alongs on night shifts a couple years ago. I figured the "freaks come out at night". I'm considering another ride-along but I'd like some info on whether a day shift would be a more productive time to go? The last couple of night shifts netted several noise disturbance calls and a 2 hour stint where I stood by while the officer directed traffic. Not very exciting, but I understand it's all part of the job.
So, what's the best time/shift if I want to experience a little activity?

[tyrist]

If I were you I would go during the day because the number of calls is much higher. All of the good stuff that happens at night your not going to see due to the danger factor.

[loobett]

If I were you I would go during the day because the number of calls is much higher. All of the good stuff that happens at night your not going to see due to the danger factor.

I went on one night shift ride-along I'll never forget. "We" responded to a call where 4 suspects had commited a robbery w/assault on the store clerk. We drove up to about half a block from the home where the suspects were hiding out. We eventually walked onto the property and into the home while I was literally with the officers, guns drawn, kicking in doors within the home, shotgun in hand, and one k-9 to boot. It was great!

I'm sure this is probably typical, but on one ride-along the officer showed me how to unlock the shotgun, where his AR15 was and how to operate it had I never used one, the location of his ankle-holstered back up gun, and asked me to remember his call sign. He said if ***** hits the fan and he's down, jump on in the fight and if it really goes south, use what I need from anything he's shown me. Then he gave me a key to the cruiser to hold onto "just in case".

[Jwood562]

it really depends on the city/area you ride along with. grave yard or swing shift is deifinatly a busier time with more police action. during the day shift the call volume is higher but they can be report calls and noise calls etc. during the night if you ride along with a hard charging officer(s) and a busy ***(cough) ghetto (cough) *** area you will see some good stuff.

beaware and be safe. ask if they have an extra vest to wear

[Blue]

Don't know where you're at but go to a town where there's action. I did some ride alongs in Danville, and it was just hours of sitting at Starbucks or parked on some quiet street while the cop blabs on the phone. I got tired of that and started riding up in Pittsburg/Antioch. Those places are exciting day or night. I can only imagine how Oakland/LA/Richmond are.

[bombadillo]

Depends on the town and the beat. I get to do the dirtbag beat with one of my friends who I never get to hang out with and when we do the bar scene, old town, and where all the crime happens in a certain area, it can be a fun night. Other than that, its just normal stuff like traffic stops, drunk drivers which are lots of fun, and kicking homeless guys out of places they shouldn't be.

[POLICESTATE]

Full moon, go on a full moon.

[JonD]

and kicking homeless guys out of places they shouldn't be.

You're definitely in the same N.cal I'm at

[bombadillo]

Humboldt?

[JonD]

Yup....haha, how'd you know

[sytfu_RR]

I did mine in Oakland on a Friday night 5pm-5am shift. And it was hot that day = a lot of aggravated people outside. My night was going from call to call, everything from 2/11, domestic violence, to hookers. lol

[SwissFluCase]

I did one when I was a teenager. We spent a few hours hassling hookers, then did a radar trap the rest of the day. We caught my step mother doing 51 in a 35 zone. Since she was a habitual offender, I didn't mention she was my stepmother until he wrote her up. Funny as heck.

Regards,

SwissFluCase

[retired]

So, did she say anything about the ticket when you came home.

[wboughton]

Did a ride along for my Intro to Criminal Justice class last year in Chico. Responded to a call of a kid being beaten up and his phone smashed. Kid was probably 12 years old, 4 schoolmates had stopped him on his bike, beat the crap out of him and couldnt decide who would get the phone so they smashed it.

Found them a few blocks away after doing some investigating. Arrested all 4 and took them to Juvie where they stayed for the rest of the weekend.

Rest of the night did a few traffic stops and had a lot of fun. Got along with the deputy pretty well, want to do another one in a few weeks.

[loobett]

Did a ride along for my Intro to Criminal Justice class last year in Chico. Responded to a call of a kid being beaten up and his phone smashed. Kid was probably 12 years old, 4 schoolmates had stopped him on his bike, beat the crap out of him and couldnt decide who would get the phone so they smashed it.

Found them a few blocks away after doing some investigating. Arrested all 4 and took them to Juvie where they stayed for the rest of the weekend.

Rest of the night did a few traffic stops and had a lot of fun. Got along with the deputy pretty well, want to do another one in a few weeks.

That's nice if you can do another one in a few weeks. Do you plan on going with the same department? Departments down here only allow 1 ride-along per 12 months and SDPD won't even give me a ride-along because I don't live in San Diego, although I live in San Diego county. It's an odd policy as I've participated in a ride-along with Anaheim PD in Orange County, and I was scheduling for a ride-along with LAPD but ended up not having the time to do it.