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The Clearwater Police Department encourages community involvement
in the law enforcement process and allows sincerely interested
citizens and student interns to ride as passenger observers with
patrol officers for legitimate civic or educational reasons. The
purpose of the Clearwater Police Department Ride-Along Program is
to encourage community involvement in law enforcement and to educate
the public by opening up the lines of communication within the community.
The Ride-Along program promotes a better understanding of the challenges,
risks and rewards of the police officer's role in the community.
The ride-along program
is administered through the Community Relations Unit of the Patrol
Division.
We thank you for your interest in our Ride-Along
program and encourage questions, comments, and suggestions about
this program and the Clearwater Police Department.
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:
1. Members of concerned adult or youth groups.
2. College or university law enforcement students
engaged in research or fulfilling project or program requirements.
3. Police officers from other jurisdictions.
4. Visiting dignitaries or officials.
5. Other members of the criminal justice system.
6. Any other person over the age of 16 approved
by the ranking patrol district supervisor or the Community Relations
Unit supervisor.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Applicants must complete the Ride-Along
application and required forms and submit the completed application
and forms to:
The Clearwater Police Department
Special Operations Section
645 Pierce Street
Clearwater, FL 33756.
If you have any questions please call 727-562-4152.
RIDE ALONG PROGRAM RULES AND GUIDELINES:
1. All persons wishing to participate in the
Ride-Along program must be at least 16 years of age.
2. All participants in the Ride-Along Program must read, agree,
and abide by all rules and guidelines and complete the Ride-Along
application and the "Covenant Not to Sue, Promise to Release"
waiver form before the ride along. If the participant is a juvenile,
the parent(s) or guardian(s) must sign the waiver and have it notarized
before an approval can be granted.
3. Participants are only permitted to ride once every six months.
4. Participants must have a valid photo id or drivers license with
them when reporting for their scheduled ride-along.
5. Participants must be dressed in clothing appropriate for contact
with the public (no shorts, jeans, or t-shirts). If a participant
shows up for their ride along and they are not in appropriate clothing
they will be denied participation in the ride-along program.
6. Participants shall be considered an observer only, and shall
be under the direct supervision on the assigned officer during the
ride-along.
7. Participants shall conduct themselves in a civil and courteous
manner at all times.
8. Participants must wear their seat belts at all times while in
the patrol car.
9. Participants must remain in the patrol car unless instructed
to leave by an officer.
10. In the case of a potentially dangerous or hazardous call, participants
may be dropped off at a safe location. If this occurs, the officer
will give the participant specific instructions and arrange to have
them picked up by another officer. Please note that this is for
the rider's safety.
11. Participants must not become involved in any incident the officer
is handling. This includes discussions of an incident with victims,
witnesses, or suspects.
12. No tape recordings, cameras, or similar devices are allowed
without prior approval from the Chief of Police or his designee.
13. For security and safety reasons, participants are not allowed
to handle or use any of the officer's equipment or the equipment
in the patrol vehicle.
14. Failure to comply with any of the above listed rules and guidelines
will result in the immediate termination of the ride-along.
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