LEO opinions on ridealongs

[FanTactical]

Any active LEOs care to comment - especially those in the Bay Area? Just curious what you guys really think of ridealongs. Is it babysitting, a PITA or do you like it?

[BoJackUSMC]

Long as you show you are interested and you are doing this because you want to become a LEO in the future. You should be good to go. However, Some like it and some do not (someone watching over their shoulder and babysitting). Hope this help.

[SkyStorm82]

Absolutely hate ride alongs. Despise them with all my heart.

[FanTactical]

Absolutely hate ride alongs. Despise them with all my heart.

I like your passion. Mind if I ask why?

[WILDMAN442]

I actually enjoy it. I work for an agency where we are alone most of the time.

I like having someone who is genuinely interested in the career and asks questions.

I do not like people who try to judge me every time I make a decision. That's what my SGT is for.

Justin

[Ron-Solo]

I usually didn't mind, but sometimes you're just not in the mood to have to explain everything you are doing.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Maybe I am a weirdo, but I do not even like working a two man hoop with a regular partner. I strongly prefer working alone. Meeting up for a cup or debriefing after calls is fine. However I feel crowded with 2 people in the car. Plus I can't use my car seat organizer and I don't like my BoB down by my feet.

With all that said....

Explorers: No
Ride alongs: Never!

No offense....you asked.

[TKM]

It's been about twenty years, but there was a memo posted on the CHP bulletin board to the effect of "Strongly Discourage" anybody not in the hiring process or LE Explorer program. Exceptions for some supportive press and political types.

I have no reason to believe it's become more open.

Some guys liked to talk, some didn't. Same as any other job.

[retired]

Maybe I am a weirdo, but I do not even like working a two man hoop with a regular partner. I strongly prefer working alone. Meeting up for a cup or debriefing after calls is fine. However I feel crowded with 2 people in the car. Plus I can't use my car seat organizer and I don't like my BoB down by my feet.

With all that said....

Explorers: No
Ride alongs: Never!

No offense....you asked.

Hey Bobby, can I go on a ride along with you.

[Notorious]

I've only given them for family or applicants, but I have gotten ridealongs as well when I was an applicant or one time while writing a research paper in college. If you can do it, you really should try. Most cops are very receptive and they are very cool and you will have a good time if it's not a slow night.

[FanTactical]

Thanks for the candid fdbk. It is pretty much what I expected - a PITA for a lot of you. Glad to see that others are willing to help those starting out. In my case, I'm not just starting out. It was a way to see what you guys do/have to put up with and to see if there was a way for me to help out. I wouldn't mind helping as a a volunteer, but being north of 40, I don't see myself being accepted as a recruit.

My background is in high tech, so another reason was to see how I could use tech to make life in the field a little easier. I have a concept that needs validating, which a ridealong would help do. It would also be a chance to gather input on what you field operators need help doing. My way of helping might be forming a company to make your ideas a reality. Consider this - when was the last time that someone asked you (not the dept.) what you needed?

I'll give it more thought before I pursue it.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Hey Bobby, can I go on a ride along with you.

Always got room for Retired and Ron-Solo.

[CBR_rider]

Fantactical,
For me, it depends on my mood. I have met some great people through ride alongs and some of them have wound up returning the favor by allowing me to tag along with them at their cool jobs. Generally I don't mind having a ride along but sometimes I really want to be with my partner and put in work, ya know what I mean? When I have a ride along I try to get into some exciting stuff but I'm not nearly as proactive on my own because not only do I have to deal with the suspect(s) but also keep an eye on the ride along.

As for your purpose of doing a ride along, I think it is a fantastic idea. You will quickly find that the patrol officer has a very different idea of what kind of new gizmos/software would be helpful (and used) as opposed to staff.

[FanTactical]

Thanks, CBR_rider. That is exactly what I figured and why I thought about a ride along - to get unfiltered input from the field. It would be very much a working session; I have specific objectives and questions to be answered. I can always watch COPS, if I want to be entertained.

[sfbay]

I dislike them because most of the people end up being weirdos. Otherwise, i enjoy it when it's a normal person, but those are soo rare.