Ride Along Request Form - Online

To help foster a positive relationship with the community and to help citizens better understand what our officers do on a daily basis, the Police Department has a ride-along program that puts citizens in a squad car out on patrol. Citizens can get a first-hand look at the challenges officers face each day and hopefully come away with a better understanding of the services we provide.

Ride-along participants only act as observers. They do not perform any law enforcement work that the officer would normally do. They do not wear a uniform or badge, operate a squad car, handle department equipment or weapons, or complete any official paperwork.

If you would like to ride along with an officer, you must submit the following form.

Please be aware of these additional requirements:

Participants must be at least 18 years of age
Participants must be approved by the Chief of Police
Ride-along is normally only valid for one 10-hour shift (you may select the shift )
Any one participant will be limited to three ride-along per year
No camera or recording equipment is allowed
Participants must be appropriately dressed

Once a ride-along has been approved and scheduled, you will be assigned to a shift to accompany an officer on patrol. You may request a ride along on any shift, but understand that it is contingent on an officer is available to take you out. Because of workload or scheduling demands for the officers, a requested day or shift may not work out for a ride-along.

For your safety and protection, the hosting officer may end a ride-along shift if at any time the officer determines that the ride-along is no longer appropriate for the circumstances. If a dangerous circumstance should arise, you may be dropped off at a safe location and picked up later after the situation has been deemed safe again.

Last Name

Please enter observer's last name

First Name

Please enter observer's first name

Middle Name

Please enter observer's middle name

Maiden Name / Aliases

If married, please enter observer's last name prior to marriage, other names used or also known as (AKA)

Street / Mailing Address

Please enter observer's physical & mailing address

City / State / Zip

Please enter observer's city, state and zip code

Email Address

Please enter email address of person submitting this form

Phone Numbers

Cell Phone Number

Home Phone Number

Work Phone Number

Date of Birth

Please enter observer's date of birth

Drivers License Number

Please enter observer's drivers license, permit or ID number

I hearby request permission to ride as a civilian observer in a Boardman Police Department patrol vehicle because:

Please enter description of why the observer is wanting to ride along

I further agree with and voluntarily signed the Release and Hold Harmless Agreement (at bottom of this page)

All requested dates listed below are at least ten (10) days after submitting this application:

1st Choice Date

Please select date of observer's 1st choice

1st Choice Time

Please select time of observer's 1st choice

2nd Choice Date

Please select date of observer's 2nd choice

2nd Choice Time

Please select time of observer's 2nd choice

3rdnd Choice Date

Please select date of observer's 3rd choice

3rd Choice Time

Please select time of observer's 3rd choice

Signature

Please enter observer's name. By placing your name here acts as your official signature for purposes of this form

Date

Please select date application is being submitted

CITIZEN OBSERVER / RIDE ALONG PROGRAM

RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

In consideration of being permitted to ride in a vehicle owned and operated by the City of Boardman, for the expressed purpose of observing operations and facilities of the Police Department, the undersigned agrees to release and hold harmless the City, its agents, employees, and elected official from any and all liability to me for personal injury or death or any property damage, whether proximate or remote, sustained during or as a result of my ride as an observer.

I understand that I will be a guest passenger in the vehicle in which I ride and have not offered any payment to the Police Department or its employees for the opportunity to ride. I further understand that I may be summoned as a witness in any proceeding as a result of my observations.

This observation is for my educational benefit. At all times, I agree to obey all orders, instructions, and commands of the officer(s) of the Police Department. I fully realize and appreciate the basic nature of law enforcement and the possibility that situations may arise that might result in my exposure to the danger of physical harm or injury, including traffic accidents and I am willing to accept these risks. I further agree to keep confidential anything that I may observe or hear. I understand that my observation ride may be terminated at any time without notice.

I authorize the Police Department to conduct a complete records check of me prior to riding and understand that any information of an adverse or criminal nature may disqualify me.

I freely and voluntarily sign this Release and Hold Harmless Agreement in sole reliance on my own independent judgment.

Signature of Applicant and Date

Please enter observer's name and today's date. By placing your name here acts as your official signature for purposes of this form

PARENTAL ENDORSEMENT (for applicants under age of 18)

I have read and understand the Release and Hold Harmless Agreement and agree to be bound to its provisions as they apply to my son/daughter, _________________________________________________. I agree to assume full responsibility for my son/daughter as it would pertain to this provisions set forth.

Signature of Parent / Guardian and Date

Please enter parent/guardian's name and today's date. By placing your name here acts as your official signature for purposes of this form

BOARDMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

CITIZEN OBSERVER (RIDE-ALONG) PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Citizen Observer (Ride-Along) Program follows established guidelines for the protection of the observer. Deviation from these guidelines without the expressed consent of the host officer is cause for immediate termination of the ride-along.

RULES OF CONDUCT

All information and observations acquired by the citizen observer during the ride-along shall be considered strictly confidential unless otherwise stated by the host officer.
The citizen observer must realize that any action he/she witnesses during the ride-along may require a court appearance at a later date.
Under no circumstances shall a citizen observer:
- Be permitted to carry any weapon unless authorized and approved by the shift supervisor.
- Operate the patrol vehicle or any other equipment.
- Act as an agent for the Department or otherwise perform any police-related duty.
- Approach any vehicle on a traffic stop or approach any residence, building, or other situation where the potential for violence exists or a crime is in progress.
- Enter any crime scene of a serious nature (such as a homicide) and/or touch, possess, tamper with, or otherwise have contact with any evidence.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

The physical safety of the citizen observer is of the utmost importance, therefore, host officers shall weigh situations for potential hazards when responding to calls.

In cases of possible extreme danger (i.e. person with gun), the citizen observer may be let out of the patrol vehicle at a safe distance from the area unless qualified to assist. In situations, with a potential for violence (fights, family disturbances, etc.), the observer shall remain in the patrol vehicle unless qualified to assist.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A ride-along shall last a maximum of 8 hours. No more than 4 ride-along shall be granted in a calendar year and no more than one in a thirty-day period, unless authorized by the shift supervisor. The minimum age requirement is 15 years old.

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Ride Along Request Form - Online

Supporting Documents