"Ride-Along" means to be an official passenger in a patrol vehicle, accompanying a police officer during part of a normal tour of duty. The primary purpose of a police Ride-Along is to provide an opportunity for the community to see firsthand the day-to-day workings of law enforcement in Hanahan, the Ride-Along guest receives important insight into what it means to be a police officer. Criminal Justice students and people interested in a career in law enforcement have found it particularly useful. The Ride-Along program fosters a better understanding of the challenges, hazards and rewards of the police officer's role in the community.

Other Ride-Along Goals

• to provide an opportunity for citizens to get to know their police officers
• to provide citizens interested in a career in law enforcement an opportunity to examine the job
• to educate the community about the responsibilities of police officers
• to educate the community about what to expect and why, if they ever have a need to call for police assistance
  
• to provide an opportunity for police officers to get to know their community
  

General Procedures

• Ride-Along requests must be submitted at least 48 hours before the desired Ride-Along date.
• No one shall ride until approval has been granted and a properly completed waiver has been signed. The Patrol Watch Commander will make notification.
  
• No observer will accompany the officer while transporting or booking prisoners.
  
• At no time shall an officer, while accompanied by an observer, engage in pursuit driving, respond to a violent crime in progress, or perform a felony traffic stop, unless they deposit the observer at a safe location.
  
• A records check should be made of the potential Ride-Along candidate.
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How do you sign up for a Ride-Along?

You must complete and sign an application form and return it to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. As an applicant for the Ride-Along program, you must authorize the Wayne County Sheriff's Department to conduct a background investigation to determine your qualifications. All information is confidential as required by Tennessee and Federal statutes.

The following are requirements for being considered for the Wayne County Sheriff's Department Ride-Along Program:

• Citizens 16 years of age and older may ride;
  
• The applicant must not have participated in a Ride-Along for the past 90 days;
  
• The participant must be willing to ride for a minimum of four (4) hours.
  
• Department employees in civilian support are eligible with the approval of the Chief of Police.
  
• Area colleges and other educational institutions conducting intern educational programs are eligible as a part of course work (not limited).
  
• Members of an officer's family or acquaintances are eligible.
  
• No Ride-Along participant will be allowed to ride while carrying a firearm, unless the participant is currently a certified active police officer with another jurisdiction in the State of South Carolina.
  

The Ride-Along participant must agree to abide by the following rules of conduct

• Observers shall, at all times, remain under the complete control of the assigned officer and comply with all directions.
  
• Observers shall not interfere with investigations in any way by conversing with victims, suspects, or witnesses unless directed by the assigned officer.
  
• The observer must be of good character, not likely to endanger the safety of the public or the officer.
  
• Minors must have a waiver form signed by parent or guardian.
  
• The participants attire must be neat, clean and conservative. The observer shall not wear any type of clothing, jacket, or baseball cap with a logo that might suggest the he or she was a police officer.
  
• No alcoholic beverages on breath or consumption of same while participating in the Ride-Along program.
  
• All cameras and recording devices are prohibited.
  
• No firearms or other weapons may be carried, unless the participant is currently a certified active police officer with another jurisdiction in the State of Tennessee.
  
• The observer shall be in good health. No persons with severe colds or illnesses will be permitted to Ride-Along.
  
• Observers must remain n the patrol car at all times unless told to do otherwise by the host officer.
  
• Observers must wear a seat belt when the vehicle is in motion.
  
• Observers must not become physically or verbally involved in any incident.
  
• Bring a meal, or money to purchase a meal.
  
• In the event of a serious situation, the officer will ask you to wait in a secure and safe place.
  
• Any information overheard regarding a criminal investigation is confidential in nature and the observer shall not discuss that information with anyone.
  
• To receive an application or for further information, contact the Wayne County Sheriff's Department at 931.722.3613.