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2. PORT ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

   CITIZEN RIDE-ALONG POLICY AND APPLICATION

   
   

   In keeping with its commitment to community policing, the Port Angeles Police Department offers citizens the opportunity to observe police officers at work through the Ride-Along Program. The Ride-Along Program is available to all persons 16 years of age or older with certain limitations as noted in the following pages and pursuant to Port Angeles Police Department Ride Along Policy (405). Persons wishing to participate in the Ride-Along Program must read, complete and sign the necessary forms in their entirety, including the liability waiver, prior to being considered for permission to ride along. The decision to deny an application will rest with the shift supervisor. Additionally, any negative information discovered during the background check may potentially disqualify an applicant. All applicants will be informed of their application status.

   
   

   RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM REGULATIONS:

   • Riders must be 16 years of age or older. If the participant is under 18 years of age, a parent/guardian must complete the entire ride-along application packet and assumption of risk waiver prior to the ride-along. Riders under 18 years of age are only permitted to ride up to midnight and for a maximum of six hours for any ride along except with prior permission from a Shift Supervisor.
     
   • Once approved, civilian ride-along applicants will be allowed to ride no more than once every six months. The Shift Supervisor has the authority to overrule this provision where deemed appropriate for persons engaged in certain journalism or research projects or those including, but not limited to: Explorers, Chaplains, Reserves, Police, Records and Dispatch Applicants, Community Care Works and others with prior approval of the Shift Supervisor.
     
   • All applicants to the program shall read completely and sign the Ride-Along Policy and Application to include the assumptions of risk waiver. All items must be returned to the Port Angeles Police Department at least twenty-four hours prior to the date in which the applicant wishes to ride.
     
   • Civilian riders are observers ONLY and shall not under any circumstance become involved either verbally or physically in the calls to which the officer with whom they are riding with responds to. If riders have questions regarding the calls at which they are present, they may discuss with the officer when the situation is concluded.
     
   • Civilian riders must agree to follow all rules as set forth by their host officer as outlined in this packet.
     
   • Civilian riders shall not under any circumstance have any weapons of any type in their possession while participating in the Ride-Along Program, including, but not limited to firearms, knives, chemical agents, or batons (impact weapons). This shall not apply to riders 
      who are full-time, commissioned law enforcement officers where jurisdictional agreements are in place.
     
   • Riders are expected to be properly attired; t-shirt, sweat-pants, shorts, etc., are not permitted.
     
   • If a rider fails to adhere to the conditions of the Ride-Along program, or if the host officer believes that the rider’s presence or actions are impeding the performance of his/her assigned duties, the host officer has the duty and the authority to terminate the ride-along and return the guest rider to the police department at any time. 
   • If a situation develops in which the host officer believes the rider will encounter unacceptable risk of harm, the officer may, at his/her own discretion, drop off the rider. The host officer will inform dispatch of the location of the rider.
     
   • If the host officer becomes involved in a pursuit of another vehicle, the officer may direct their rider to exit the police vehicle – regardless of time of day or location. The rider will assume all responsibility for their own transportation back to the Police Department or to their own residence and for any and all harm that may befall the rider once they exit the Port Angeles Police Department or City of Port Angeles vehicle. The host officer will inform dispatch of the location of the rider.
   • Civilian riders are not permitted to use, or have in their possession, during the course of the ride-along any photographic, video, or audio recording equipment, except where given specific written permission by the Chief of Police or designee to have and use such device for bona fide research and/or journalism purposes. Cellphones are acceptable to possess and may only be used to make emergency calls as needed. Riders must follow the direction of their host officer in regard to cell phone use and communications.
     

   EXPLORER PROGRAM RIDE-ALONG REGULATIONS:

    

   • Explorers ages 16 years of age and older may only ride with an Explorer Advisor with prior permission of the shift Sergeant.
     
   • Explorers under 18 years of age can only ride up to midnight and for a maximum of six hours for any ride along except with prior permission from a shift Supervisor.
     
   • Explorers must have completed a minimum of 8 hours of training/meeting hours to be eligible for ride-alongs and in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
     
   • Explorers under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian permission and must have completed a ride along packet prior to being approved for ride-alongs. Ride along packets will be maintained in their service file.
   • Explorers will obey all rules as set by the Port Angeles Police Department and will not leave the vehicle without express permission from the Advisor they are riding with.  
     
   • Explorers ages 16 years of age or older must have a valid driver license and permission of the Explorer Advisor to operate a Port Angles Police Department Vehicle at any time.
   • Reserve Officers have priority over Explorers regarding ride-alongs.

4. Citizen Ride Along Request

   You must be sixteen (16) years of age or older

6. Last Name*
7. First Name*
8. Middle Name*
9. Date of Birth*
11. Driver's License Number*
13. Street Address*
15. City*
16. State*
17. Zip*
19. Phone #*
20. Previous Observer?*

    1. Yes
    2. No
22. Emergency Contact*
23. Phone #*
25. Reason for Ride-Along Request*

27. For Juvenile Riders

29. Parent Name
30. Parent Phone #
Leave This Blank:


31. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
32. Email address

    This field is not part of the form submission.

33. Submit

* indicates a required field