OREGON ELAW

  • 4.05 CITIZEN OBSERVER PROGRAM

    4.5.1 PURPOSE

    A. The ride-along program is designed to promote a mutual understanding between the police and the community by providing an opportunity for citizens to ride with and observe police officers performing their jobs. Sworn member participation in this program is voluntary; members will not be forced to accept ride-alongs and may terminate the ride-along at any time.


    4.5.2 APPLICATION QUALIFICATIONS

    A. Citizen observers will be a minimum of 16 years of age. Prior to submitting the form for approval, citizen observers under 18 years of age will ensure their ride-along form has been notarized and contains a parent or guardians’ signature.


    B. Department supervisors have the authority to deny ride-along requests. Department supervisors and host officers have the authority to terminate in progress ride-alongs.


    4.5.3 APPLICATION PROCESSING

    A. Applicants for the Citizen Observer Program will personally submit a signed Ride-Along Application (Appendix 4.5A) at least 10 days prior to the first requested ride-along date. The advance notice requirement may be waived by a watch commander. At the time of submission of the application, the applicant will be required to present suitable photo identification.

    B. The “Release and Indemnity” section of the application (Appendix 4.5A) must be signed and notarized prior to turning it in. A new application must be submitted each time an individual wishes to ride.

    C. Properly completed and notarized applications will be given to a Patrol Division Administrative Assistant, who will check the applicant for driving status and record, warrants, prior police contacts, and a criminal history check. The results of the check will be forwarded to the affected shift watch commander for review, approval or rejection and assignment to a host officer.

    D. The Administrative Assistant will notify the applicant of the status of their application and/or ride-along date. This may be accomplished via telephone, electronically (computer, pager, etc.), or by postal delivery (Appendices 4.5B).

    E. The Administrative Assistant will retain all documentation pertaining to the application in a master file for a minimum of one year from the ride-along date or application rejection date.


    4.5.4 HOST OFFICERS

    A. Approved host officers must meet the following criteria:

     1. Regular officer not working under the direction of a special review; and
    2. Probationary regular officer with approval from the shift supervisor and the field training program coordinator.

    4.5.5 PARTICIPATION

    A. Citizen observers having, or appearing to have, recently consumed alcoholic beverages or drugs will not be allowed to ride.

    B. Citizen observers should be clean and appropriately dressed in modest civilian attire. The Reserve Officer and Cadets should wear their appropriate uniform. In the event a citizen observer is wearing inappropriate attire or has unacceptable personal hygiene the host officer or on-duty supervisor may cancel the ride-along approval.

    • The host officer shall instruct the citizen observer on the procedure required while riding, which shall include:

    1. Citizen observers shall at all times remain under the control of the host officer and shall comply with all directions and requests of the host officer or other on-duty officers.
    2. Citizen observers will wear seatbelts in any moving vehicle.
    3. Citizen observers will wear a protective vest at all times during the ride-along.
    4. Citizen observers will not carry firearms regardless if they have a concealed weapons permit. The only exception to this is for certified non-probationary police officers at the discretion of the host officer and with the shift supervisor’s permission.

    D. Citizen observers shall not interfere with investigations in any way by conversing with suspects, victims or witnesses, handling evidence or police equipment, or participating in any police activity unless directed to do so by an officer.

    E. Host officer shall take due care in responding to crimes in progress, dangerous or violent situations or those involving sensitive matters. Citizen observers should remain in the police vehicle in these types of situations unless, for their safety, they are directed otherwise by the host officer. If it is not safe to leave an observer in the car, officers should attempt to drop the citizen observer off at a safe location or transfer them to another officer.

    F. Officers with ride-alongs will not become involved as a primary unit in a vehicle pursuit. Assistance to the pursuit should be limited to blocking traffic or laying spike strips (see GO 4.12 Vehicle Pursuits). The only exception will be if the ride-along is a certified non-probationary police officer.

    G. Citizen observers will     not operate City equipment unless directed to do so, or in cases of emergency and the officer is unavailable, i.e., officer and/or citizen injury or life threatening situation.

    H. A cumulative maximum of two citizen observers will be authorized to ride-along per shift. This includes persons riding with regular and Reserve host officer.

    I. Citizen observers will be limited to one ride-along in a six month period. This may be waived by a Watch Commander.

    • Citizen observers will conspicuously attach their visitor identification, police identification or badge on their top lay of clothing, or on a lanyard.



    Craig Junginger
    Chief of Police
    APPENDIX 4.5A



    Gresham Police Department
    RIDE ALONG REQUEST


    Denial Notice


    We are sorry to inform you that your ride along request has been denied for the following reason:


    • Due to training obligations, we do not have officers available at this time.

    • You live outside the City of Gresham.

    • The dates/times you requested were before the application was turned in.

    □ You did not pass the background requirements.

    • The specific officer you requested is not available for that date/time.

    • Other: _________________________________________________.


    Denied by:
    Date:


    If you have any additional questions, you may contact us at 503-618-2320.

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