Ride-Along Program

General Information

The  Ride-Along  Program is intended to be an educational process for civilians and is not designed for entertainment purposes. 

All individuals requesting to ride along must be at least 18 years of age or an active member of the Farmington Police Explorer  Post.  Any exceptions to this must be approved in writing by the chief of police or his/ her designee. The following individuals are examples of those who may request permission to ride along:

1. Interested members of the community who can articulate the reason for the request;

2. Persons interested in the law enforcement field who desire first hand exposure to our agency;

3. Those involved in department sponsored courses such as the Citizens Academy, Women Against Crime, the Police Explorer Post, and the Volunteer Observation Patrol;

4. Government Officials;

5. Officers or dispatchers from other law enforcement agencies;

6. Spouses, relatives and friends of officers;

7. Any others deemed eligible. Participation in the Ride-Along  Program is regulated by guidelines and  requirements. Failure to adhere to the following guidelines and requirements may result in the Ride-Along privilege being suspended.

Ride-Along Request Procedures:

All  persons  desiring to participate in the Ride-Along Program must fill out the request for ride-along  form and submit it to the  shift lieutenant at least five days prior to the requested date for the ride-along. Shift lieutenants are responsible for approving or denying requests. Short notice exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis. Once the approval or denial  has been made, the form is given to the appropriate shift supervisor who will schedule the ride-along or relay the reason for denial. Attached to the request for ride-along form is a waiver of liability form that must be signed. Should special permission be granted to a person under 18 years of age, that person must have the form signed by the minor's parent(s) or guardian(s). Members of the Farmington Police Explorer Post will maintain a parental waiver form on file with the Explorer Post adviser. The waiver will be valid for one year. Parents must file a new waiver annually. The explorer will fill out a request for ride-along from and submit it to the explorer adviser. The adviser will act as a liaison between explorer and the requested officer to ensure the requested officer  will accept the ride-along. The adviser will reserve the right to disapprove any ride-along for reasonable cause. San Juan County Communications Authority Dispatchers  are  not  required  to  fill  out  the  request  or  waiver forms, but  do need approval from  the shift lieutenant prior to any ride-along. Such ride-alongs are considered job related and part of their normal job duties.

Requirements and Rules:

Every  individual requesting permission to participate in this program is given a copy of the ride-along requirements and rules along with the request for ride-along forms. Failure to abide by the requirements and rules may result in the denial of permission or removal from the program. The shift lieutenant or on-duty shift supervisor will make the determination to deny a ride along for  any perceived violation of this policy. Members of the Farmington Police Explorer Post will abide by the  policies and procedures  outlined in the explorer post general orders. Explorers found in violation of the orders may loose their ride-along privileges.

1.    Dress and Grooming Standards:

A.    Participants in the ride along program must dress and groom themselves in an appropriate and businesslike manner. The   shift sergeant will determine if the participant’s attire and/or grooming is appropriate to ride in a police vehicle and represent the police department.

B.    Minimum requirements are slacks and a dress shirt for males. Females will wear slacks and blouses. Jeans and/or tee-shirts are not acceptable for either sex.

C.    Males will be clean shaven or will have neatly trimmed beards or mustaches and hair will be neatly groomed.

D.    Clothing that advertises any product, business or organization will not be permitted, nor will any sign or symbol that is inflammatory in nature.

2.    Conduct

Participants of the ride along program are guests of the Farmington Police Department and shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Participants will:

A.    Not use alcoholic beverages immediately prior to or during the ride along period.

B.    Not use profane or abusive language or behave in any manner that might embarrass the department or cause an incident to escalate.

C.    Not enter into any investigation or converse with any citizens, witness or prisoner concerning a police incident or investigation.

D.     Not make known to unauthorized persons the identity of persons arrested, detained or suspected of any offense.

E.    Not operate or use any police equipment or vehicle except in the case of an emergency when requested to do so by a police officer.

F.    Not imply or convey the impression of being a police officer.

G.    Remain in the police vehicle during routine traffic stops and disturbance calls of a serious nature or whenever directed to do so by a police officer.

H.    Obey, without question, any instructions given by the officer in charge.