**College Student Needs Help**

[whyhatchu]

Hey Calguns LEOs

Do you guys have the ability to bring people on ride-alongs? Does your department actually let you request to bring people on the ride-alongs or are certain officers just assigned them from the waiting list?

I'm taking a class on enforcement and need to do 1 ride along but I like to do them with a couple of agencies, preferably with calgunners. Please message if your department allows you to bring in people for ride alongs.


Update 10/18/13
Hey guys, I've contacted the station supervisor for Santa Ana PD to schedule my ride a long but I was informed that the wait list would be a couple of months. I need to get in one before December for class

I know it's a hassle but would any officers be willing to volunteer to take me out on a ride along? You don't have to take me the entire time and can just drop me off whenever. Please PM me if you're around Orange County and can help me out. Thanks!

[infringed711]

I've been thinking about this lately, not gonna lie I can be quick to judge and maybe a ride along would help me view it from a different perspective...that being said I'd doubt they'd let me for no other reason than I want to

[Tacit Blue]

I've done quite a few.

Requirements:
1) Resident of that county/city.
2) Either in the hiring process or a student.
3) Or you know a officer personally who can arrange one for you

Obviously no outstanding warrants or criminal records. You can just call the station non emergency line and ask if they do ride alongs. That simple.... They'll usually transfer you to a Sgt. or a coordinator who will help you out.

[Rockit]

Anyone that clears the background can go on a ral.
We all take 'em.

[762ch]

I would love to go on a ride along in Sacramento, one of main fears would be a high speed pursuit (i'm gun shy about car crashes right now) Or a shoot out...for obvious reasons!

My brother is in the academy for Stockton PD so It would be cool to go on a ride along with him when he hits the streets!

[Mason McDuffie]

My dept requires the person to either be in the application process or immediate family. Each dept is different though. If you call and ask your local dept they will tell you. Generally it requires a short background check and that's it.

[762ch]

My dept requires the person to either be in the application process or immediate family. Each dept is different though. If you call and ask your local dept they will tell you. Generally it requires a short background check and that's it.

That sounds promising for me! I can't wait to go on a ride along, I have no idea what to expect. I would be cool to see some action as long as it doesn't get too wild. I don't want to be like McLovin stuck in the back of a cop car.

[Rockit]

I would love to go on a ride along in Sacramento, one of main fears would be a high speed pursuit (i'm gun shy about car crashes right now) Or a shoot out...for obvious reasons!

My brother is in the academy for Stockton PD so It would be cool to go on a ride along with him when he hits the streets!

Doesn't need to be a pursuit to stack one up. I just got t-boned two weeks ago. Landed in a planter. Bummed me out because it was an '06 car. They were faster than the newer ones.

I wouldn't worry about shootings. There is a phenomenon when someone has a ral....guaranteed to be a booring shift.

[Mason McDuffie]

I love having candidates ride along. Letting people see that a police officer's job is not solely enforcing the law. We are asked to do many things that the academy and television just don't prepare you for. I highly encourage you to hop in the passenger seat. I'm sure the officer wouldn't mind the company anyways haha.

[Petro6golf]

We are generally assigned RAL's and usually get one or 2 every week or 2. I can bring any friend or family. Its a easy process. I don't mind having them but we frequently get old lady's. I don't want to hear about your grandson for 4 hours. What does a man in his late 20's have in common with a 75 year old woman? Other than that its not bad but if you ride for a 12 hour shift my vocal cords get tired having a conversation with you for 12 hours.

[PsychGuy274]

Hey Calguns LEOs

Do you guys have the ability to bring people on ride-alongs? Does your department actually let you request to bring people on the ride-alongs or are certain officers just assigned them from the waiting list?

I'm taking a class on enforcement and need to do 1 ride along but I like to do them with a couple of agencies, preferably with calgunners. Please message if your department allows you to bring in people for ride alongs.

We can take friends and family after a background check in my department. For random citizens, if no one volunteers to take them, someone will get voluntold.

[infringed711]

So wait it is possible to go on ride alongs just because you want to? I'm gonna have to call and ask about it

[Danger Dave]

Is there a certain office for each agency that handles RAL's? My local area is RCSO, I think the Perris station is closest.

[TrailerparkTrash]

We are generally assigned RAL's and usually get one or 2 every week or 2. I can bring any friend or family. Its a easy process. I don't mind having them but we frequently get old lady's. I don't want to hear about your grandson for 4 hours. What does a man in his late 20's have in common with a 75 year old woman? Other than that its not bad but if you ride for a 12 hour shift my vocal cords get tired having a conversation with you for 12 hours.

To add to this post....

I'll be honest and blunt and I said this a few years ago..... Ride a longs SUCK!!! Neither me, nor 99% of my coworkers like a ride-a-long. Just know that going into a ride. Nobody likes to have a complete stranger sitting next to you, watching you at work for 8-12 hrs per day. Would YOU like like a stranger sitting next to your desk, watching you work a few times per month? He'll no you wouldn't!

So, knowing that ride-a-longs are here to stay, if you go on one, here's a few pointers: Go have fun, but STFU! Don't tell the cop what to do, or what your opinion is. Don't try to be his/her friend. Just, watch and observe and keep "reasonable" questions to a minimum. Nobody likes somebody with a mouth that continues to talk and talk and talk. Dont try to point out traffic violators!!!! I once had a rider that did that with me, i took him back to the station and said the ride was over! Also, don't try to be a bad-@$$, Just be humble.

Last, don't be a career ride-alonger! There are some people that insist on riding time and time again. Believe me, those are HATED at stations.

[HP911]

Ride alongs at my dept seem pretty rare. The RAL request form has a line for a Deputy Chief to sign before being granted.