Ride-Along Application

City of East Ridge Police Department 4214 Ringgold Road East Ridge, TN 37412 Ride-Along Program The East Ridge Police Department values our relationship with the citizens of the city. To further promote this relationship, the Department invites citizens of East Ridge to participate in the Department’s Civilian Ride-Along Program. The purpose of the Ride-Along Program is to encourage community involvement in law enforcement and to educate the public by opening lines of communication between the community and police. Additionally, the Ride-Along Program promotes a better understanding of the challenges, risks and rewards of the police officer's job. As part of the Ride-Along Program, Citizens will ride in a patrol car with an officer as he or she answers calls, makes traffic stops, and conducts other patrol duties. If interested, please complete the application below, read the Rules and Regulations and the Release and Waiver of Claims, and sign where indicated. All forms may be emailed to cuselton@eastridgetn.gov or dropped off in person at the Department at 4214 Ringgold Rd during business hours. Be aware that a criminal background investigation will be conducted prior to approval being given to participate. Please allow two weeks for processing. PROGRAM RULES AND GUIDELINES 1. Submitting a request does not guarantee ride along approval. 2. The date and shift requested by the applicant shall be accommodated when possible within preference guidelines. 3. Participants must have a valid photo ID or driver license with them when reporting for their scheduled ride along. 4. Wear neat, clean, appropriate clothing. Shorts, sweat suits or jogging suits, tank tops, halter tops, or clothing which is torn, soiled or displays offensive language or symbols shall not be allowed. 5. Participants shall be considered observers only and shall be under the direct supervision of the assigned officer during the ride along. 6. Participants shall conduct themselves in a civil and courteous manner at all times. 7. Participants must wear their seat belts at all times while in the patrol car. 8. Participants must remain in the patrol car unless instructed to leave by an officer. 9. In the case of a potentially dangerous or hazardous call, participants may be dropped off at a safe location. If this occurs, the officer will give the participant specific instructions and arrange for transportation from another officer. Please note that this is for the rider's safety. 10. Participants must not become involved in any incident the officer is handling. This includes discussions of an incident with victims, witnesses, or suspects. 11. No tape recordings, cameras, or similar devices are allowed without prior approval from the Chief of Police or his designee. 12. For security and safety reasons, participants are not allowed to handle or use any of the officer's equipment or the equipment in the patrol vehicle. 13. All participants in the Ride-Along Program must read, agree, and abide by all rules and guidelines and complete the Ride-Along Application prior to the ride along. 14. Failure to comply with any of the above listed rules and guidelines, together with other rules and regulations promulgated by the East Ridge Police Department, may result in the immediate termination of the ride-along. City of East Ridge Police Department 4214 Ringgold Road East Ridge, TN 37412 Request for Participation in the Ride-Along Program Date of Request: __________ Full Name: Date of Birth: Home Address: E-Mail Address: Home Telephone: Work Telephone: Employer: Sworn Law Enforcement Civilian, Non-Sworn Law Enforcement Civilian, Non Law Enforcement Requested Date for Ride Along: 1st Choice: 2nd Choice: Social Security Number (Required for Background Check): Reason for participation in Ride-Along Program: Background Information: 1. Have you ever been arrested for, or convicted of, a crime: Yes No 2. If yes, what was the crime with which you were charged and/or convicted of: 3. What was the outcome? 4. Are you presently on parole and/or probation? Yes No Your information will be verified prior to your participation in the program. Felony or serious misdemeanor arrests may prevent your participation in the program. I understand that false statements will disqualify me from participation in the Ride-Along Program. ALL RIDE-ALONG REQUESTS MUST BE APPROVED PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE RIDE-ALONG BY A CAPTAIN OR ABOVE. A COPY OF THE RIDE-ALONG FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ASSISTANT CHIEF. Signature: Date: Approved By: Date: Rules and Regulations of the Ride-Along Program You must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the Ride-Along Program. 1. DO NOT carry any weapons. (Waived for Sworn Law Enforcement ONLY) 2. Do not engage in any physical confrontations. 3. Do not drive any City of East Ridge vehicles. 4. Do not discuss criminal records or police reports with anyone, either during or following your ride-along. 5. Do not direct traffic. (Waived for Sworn Law Enforcement ONLY) 6. Do not serve as an undercover agent. 7. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your assigned ride-along. 8. DO what the officer instructs you to do. Your safety is a primary concern to the officer, the East Ridge Police Department, and the City of East Ridge. 9. Wear appropriate clothing for your ride-along. You are a reflection of the officer and the police department during your ride-along. Inappropriate clothing will result in your denial to ride-along. Failure to abide by these rules and regulations will disqualify you from future participation in the Ride-Along Program. When you report for your scheduled ride during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 0700- 1600 hrs., come in the main entrance to the Public Safety building and inform the office staff that you are here for the Ride-Along Program. After hours and on weekends, use the RED PHONE to advise the operator that you are here for the Ride-Along Program. *Due to recent US Supreme Court decisions, the East Ridge Police Department has adopted a policy which prohibits citizens and members of the media from accompanying police officers onto private property while participating in the Ride-Along Program. Please read and sign below to signify your understanding of these rules and regulations as they pertain to the East Ridge Police Department’s Ride-Along Program. Signature: Date: City of East Ridge Police Department 4214 Ringgold Road East Ridge, TN 37412 Release and Waiver of Claims, Ride-Along Program Please read and sign below to signify your understanding and acceptance of the following release and waiver of claims as they pertain to your participation in the Ride-Along Program. I, , do hereby request permission from the East Ridge Police Department to ride in one of its motor vehicles as an observer and in consideration of the granting of this permission, I do hereby agree to follow the instructions given by the officer(s) in charge of said motor vehicle or other officers that may in the course of my ride-along be placed in the position of providing for my safety and welfare. I understand that police work can be dangerous and possibly life threatening. I realize that by riding in a police vehicle and that by participating in the Ride-Along Program, I could possibly be placing my life in danger. For, and in consideration of, being allowed to ride in an East Ridge Police Department vehicle and for being allowed to participate in the Ride-Along Program, and for other good and valuable consideration, which is hereby acknowledged, I do release, discharge and otherwise hold harmless the City of East Ridge, the East Ridge Police Department and its administrators, agents, officers, volunteers and employees (hereinafter referred to as the “releases”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, losses or damages which may be caused or may be alleged to be caused, in whole or in part, by any act or omission of the releases while participating in the Ride-Along Program and/or while riding in an East Ridge Police Department vehicle. Signature: Date: Witness: Date: