The Hermiston Police Department offers opportunities for community members to ride along with police officers. Ride-a-longs provide insight on the work done by the Hermiston Police Department’s Patrol Division.
Ride-a-Long Rules and Regulations
The applicant’s participation is a privilege and not a right. The basic premise of the ride-a-long program is to establish rapport with the police and learn about the functions of law enforcement.
No person shall be allowed to ride without having submitted a signed ride-a-long request and waiver form. Refusal to complete this form or false statements of any nature on the same will disqualify that person from participation in the program. The request to ride form must be turned in to the Police Department one (1) week before the first requested date of participation. At the Operations Captain's discretion, exceptions may be made or special situations requiring shorter notice, as long as the other procedures are followed. Special situations may include out of state visitors or criminal justice personnel.
Applicants under eighteen (18) years of age must have this form read and signed by their parent or guardian prior to any participation in this program. The ride-a-long program is open to persons who are at least sixteen (16) years of age
Persons with extensive criminal backgrounds will not be allowed to ride with an officer. Background checks will be conducted on ALL applicants.
Applicants will be notified by the Police Department after filing the written application request form. At that time, the ride will be scheduled and/or confirmed or denied.
Ride-a-long tours usually last four (4) hours; however, either the officer or the rider may terminate the tour at any time. The on-duty supervisor will be advised of early termination.
Civilian ride-a-longs will be allowed to ride no more than once every six months, without prior approval of the Operations Captain (once every three (3) months for immediate family members).
Video or audio recording will not be permitted while participating in the program unless express permission is granted by the Chief of Police.
No firearms or any other type of weapon may be carried during the ride-a-long.
Participants must obey the orders and instructions given by the officer to whom they are assigned.
Participants must not leave the patrol vehicle unless instructed to do so by the officer.
When the patrol unit is assigned to a dangerous call, the rider may be dropped off at a safe location and he/she must remain there until the officer or another police unit returns to pick him/her up.
Participants shall not converse with any prisoners, suspects, victims, or witnesses nor shall they participate in any police activity unless directly requested by officers.
All participants must agree not to discuss names of persons involved in police cases or incidents. The observer will be considered a confidant of the Police Department and it is essential that all matters pertaining to evidence or statements gathered in investigations be held confidential.
The participant’s attire must be neat, clean, and conservative. The observer shall not wear any type of clothing, jacket, or baseball cap that might suggest affiliation with a law enforcement entity or gang membership.
The rider will provide his/her own transportation to and from the Police Department.
By signing the waiver form, the ride-a-long participant agrees to the rules and regulations listed above.
