Citizen Ride-Along Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Citizen Ride-Along is to provide interested citizens with the opportunity to observe the daily operations of the Norwalk Police Department and the types of tasks performed by its officers as well as to promote and improve community relations.

Policy

It is the policy of the Norwalk Police Department to welcome interested citizens over eighteen (18) years of age to ride with uniformed officers to observe the work and activities performed by the officers and receive comments and suggestions from participants regarding their impression of the department.

Ride-Along Requests

Citizens who wish to participate in the Citizen Ride-Along Program must submit a written request to a shift supervisor for consideration. Citizens are only permitted to ride-along when a captain or a sergeant is on duty for the affected shift.

The sponsoring officer shall:

• Review the policy with the applicant.

• Receive the written application.

• Have the citizen read and sign a written release and waiver to submit with the application to be provided to the on-duty captain or sergeant prior to the citizen entering the cruiser.

• Conduct an initial criminal background check and a check for outstanding warrant or protection orders of the citizen prior to participation in the program.

• Notify the citizen they are subject to being called as a witness regarding their observations while participating in the program.

Requests for participation may be denied, or privileges canceled at the discretion of the shift supervisor when it interferes with the effective and efficient operation of the shift.

Participant Rules

Participants are required to be dressed and groomed in appropriate attire upon reporting for the ride-along program.

Participants shall report to the police department at the assigned starting time and will be assigned to an officer who is not on probation.

Participants shall follow all instructions and directions given by the assigned officer and shall not interfere with the officers duties or investigations, including:
    ~ conversing with victim, suspects, or witnesses.
    ~ handling evidence or police practice equipment unless otherwise directed.
    ~ questioning the officer or police practice while the officer is engaged in performing police
     duties.

Participants shall not enter prohibited areas within police headquarters. This includes, but is not limited to: private offices, dispatch area, unless assigned there, evidence areas, vehicles, lockers, mailboxes. Participants may not use department computers.

If the officer perceives that a situation may become dangerous; at the earliest opportunity the officer shall require the ride-along participant to exit the vehicle at a safe location if possible and notify dispatch. As soon as practicable transportation shall be provided for the ride-along participant.

Officer Responsibilities

For safety reasons, officers with ride-along participants in their vehicle should not unduly place the participant in physical jeopardy, including, but not limited to: officer received information requiring response to inherently dangerous situations.

If the officer perceives that a situation may become dangerous; at the earliest opportunity the officer shall require the ride-along participant to exit the vehicle at a safe location if possible and notify dispatch. As soon as practicable transportation shall be provided for the ride-along participant.