Civilian ride-along program

 The following rules apply to individuals participating in the Ride-Along program:
 

• Participants should arrive at the arranged location at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled ride-along. If the participant is not present at this time, the Sheriff’s Office reserves the right to cancel the ride-along rather than delay the deputy from going on duty.
• Participants shall play no active role in the police function. They must only act as an observer unless otherwise directed by their host deputy.
• Participants shall not be allowed to operate any police equipment unless directed to do so by a police officer in an extreme emergency.
• Participants must always remain in the police vehicle until directed otherwise by the host deputy.
• Participants must not speak to victims, witnesses, prisoners, or other persons associated with a police event. Should a witness, prisoner, victim, or other person speak to the participant, the participant should politely direct the person to speak to one of the deputies present.
• Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the host officer; however, such questions should be asked after the police event has been resolved so as not to interfere with the law enforcement operation.
• Participants shall not bring or use cameras or any recording devices without the express written permission of the office of the Sheriff.
• Participants shall not enter any person's home while participating in the ride-along unless the host officer has asked and has been granted express permission from the homeowner/occupant to allow the ride-along participant entry.
• Participants shall always follow the instructions of the host deputy during the ride-along.
• Non-law enforcement ride-along participants shall not be allowed to carry any firearm or other weapon, even when otherwise authorized by law, while participating in the ride-along program.
• Participants should be dressed in comfortable, casual but conservative clothing during the ride-along. (Pants and shirt/jacket      for men; pants and blouse/jacket for women.) Participants who are inappropriately dressed as determined by the host deputy shall not be allowed to participate in the program on the assigned date.
• Non-law enforcement ride-along participants shall only be allowed to participate in this program once every 12 months unless given authorization from the Sheriff.