Citizen Guidelines For Ride Along

1. The minimum age of a ride along participant shall be fourteen (14) years of age.
2. Ride along participants under the age of eighteen (18) shall not be permitted to ride between the hours
   of 11:00p.m. and 7:00a.m.
3. Participants must not have had any felony arrests and convictions or multiple misdemeanor arrests
   or convictions, excluding traffic citations for infractions, unless approved by the Chief of Police.
4. Citizens must not ride more often than once in a three (3) month period, unless approved by the
   Watch Commander.
5. No cameras and/or audio or visual recorders will be permitted.
6. Only one citizen will be allowed to ride during any one given shift, unless approved by the Watch Commander.
7. All participants will be suitable and comfortably dressed. Sandals, tank tops, shorts, gang related
   paraphernalia and other unsuitable clothing will not be permitted.
8. Participants shall not use or operate Department equipment or vehicles without the permission of the
   escorting officer and then only in emergency situations.
9. Participants shall refrain from conversing with prisoners, suspects, or witnesses without the permission of
   the officer. This regulation is necessary to avoid the potential tainting of evidence.
10. Participantsshall not interfere with an officer while he/she is handing a police incident.
11. The officer has discretion to terminate a ride along in the event a participant fails to follow reasonable
    directions or interferes with the officer’s regular duties.
12. Participants may terminate the ride along at any time. If termination is requested, the participant will
    be dropped off at the Police Department as soon as safety permits.
13. Participants shall wear seat belts in the patrol vehicles at all times.
14. Participants shall not be assigned to ride with officers having less than six (6) months of experience with
    the Tracy Police Department.
15. The participant shall not leave the patrol vehicle without the permission of the officer and in no situation
    when a potential for violence exists or a suspect in an investigation is present.
16. The Participant shall not carry any firearm or other concealed weapon.