I. PURPOSE

To establish policy and procedure regarding the Department's Civilian Ride-Along Program.

II. POLICY

The Department will permit civilians to ride with on duty officers in marked patrol vehicles in accordance with the procedures set forth in this general order. The purpose of this program is to foster a sense of mutual respect and awareness. Participation by officers is voluntary and it is the officers' responsibility to advise their supervisors if they have reservations about participation.

III. DEFINITIONS

Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver: A form the participant completes to provide information to conduct a criminal record check and to document the citizens' participation. The bottom portion of the form provides specific conditions of participation in the program and serves as an agreement between the citizen participant and the City of Rock Hill to hold the City, the Department, and its members harmless from civil liability in the event of injury during participation in the Civilian Ride-Along Program.

IV. PROCEDURES

A. Application

1. The prospective rider will complete a Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form, which will be submitted to the Recruiting Officer at least ten (10) business days prior to the desired ride date. An exception may be made by the recruiting officer or the Professional Standards Supervisor.
2. A record check will be completed and, if satisfactory, the participant will be notified that (s)he has been approved to participate in the program.
3. The Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form will be forwarded to the proper Patrol Team Supervisor.
4. All applicants will:
   1. Be at least (18) years old;
   2. Possess no felony convictions; Misdemeanor convictions will be reviewed by a Professional Standards Supervisor on a case by case basis.
   3. Have no physical or medical condition which may be negatively affected by participation in this program; and
   4. Have not participated prior to application.

B. Requirements/Restrictions

1. Participants will not be allowed to carry any type of weapon unless the participant is a South Carolina Certified Law Enforcement Officer.
2. Participants may not use cameras and/or recording equipment during the ride with the officer EXCEPT as approved by the Chief of Police or his designee.
3. Participants are subject to subpoena to testify as witnesses.
4. Participants may not interfere in any way with an officer's performance of duty. HOWEVER, participants will be required to assist an officer upon request and only under extreme emergency circumstances.
5. The citizen is an observer only and will not, in any way, become involved in any situation EXCEPT as required by the preceding paragraph. Citizens will be allowed to observe as much of any situation as possible consistent with preserving their safety and protecting the rights of those involved.
6. During calls for service, warrant service, and traffic stops, citizens will not leave the patrol vehicle unless given permission to do so by the officer.
7. Participants will be dressed appropriately.
8. Participants may ride two (2) times in a twelve month period, unless prior approval by the Chief of Police or his designee is granted. Requests for subsequent Ride -Along's will be submitted in writing to the Chief of Police five business days prior to requested ride date.

C. Patrol Team Supervisor Duties

1. The supervisor will give the applicant a copy of the rules to read before assigning an officer.
2. The supervisor will confirm that the participant is dressed appropriately for the ride.
3. The supervisor will determine the willingness of the officer to accept the citizen rider. If an officer has reservations about being assigned a rider, the officer will notify the supervisor of his/her concerns prior to accepting the assignment.
4. The supervisor will assign the participant to an officer driving a marked patrol vehicle.
5. If the supervisor becomes aware of any dispute between the officer and the participant, the supervisor will terminate the ride, investigate the incident fully, and complete a Blue Team Report.

D. Officer Responsibilities

1. The officer will explain the rules before the ride.
2. The officer will notify Communications when the participant is in the vehicle and when the ride ends.
3. If a participant requests that the ride be terminated at any time, the officer will return the rider to the Law Center as soon as practical.
4. The officer will:
   1. Treat all civilian riders professionally.
   2. Ensure the safety of all participants.
   3. Answer the questions asked by the rider completely and factually to the best of the officer's knowledge.
   4. Be willing and eager to discuss the profession and the Department's community policing and other proactive policies.
   5. Be mindful of his/her conduct and actions while in the presence of the observer.
   6. Introduce the participant to complainants/victims prior to entering any residences. If a complainant/victim objects to the presence of the participant, the participant will be asked to remain in the patrol vehicle during the investigation.
   7. Not permit the participant to enter any crime scene areas or locations when the crime scene must be protected for the collection and preservation of evidence.

E. Media

1. Members of both print and electronic media are encouraged to participate in the Ride-Along Program. Media members will be subject to the same restrictions as other participants.
2. Officers will specifically inform media riders that they will not be allowed to accompany them into the scene of a search warrant or arrest warrant service. If a member of the media is present as a rider/observer when a search or arrest warrant is being served, the media member will remain in the patrol vehicle and is prohibited from entering the residence of the person being served.
3. Media members WILL NOT film any event on the ride without the prior written permission of the Chief of Police or his designee.

F. Exceptions to the Application Requirements:

1. Courtesies extended to law enforcement professionals and emergency situations may require limited exceptions to the application requirements:
   1. Non-sworn Department Members: May apply 24 hours in advance, will complete a Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form each time they ride, and are not restricted to the number of times they can ride.
   2. Department chaplains: This category includes all persons on the Police Chaplain Roster maintained by the Professional Standards Captain. Chaplains will complete and sign a Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form prior to their initial ride along. There are no restrictions as to the number of times they can participate in the program.
   3. Government Employees: (example- Mayor and Council, City Attorney, Court Personnel)
   4. Members of the News Media: This category includes full-time members of the news media with appropriate credentials. They must fill out the Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form, but no restrictions will be placed in the number of times they can participate in the program.
   5. Visiting Out-of-town Relatives and Friends: who arrive during non-administration business hours are exempt from application time requirements, but will be bound by other rules/restrictions. A Criminal History check will be performed when possible. A Civilian Ride-Along Application and Liability Waiver form will be signed and placed on file in the Patrol Supervisor's Office. However, spouses and significant others may only ride two (2) times in a twelve month period, unless prior approval is granted by the Chief of Police.
   6. All other exceptions will be evaluated by the Chief of Police or his designee and approved on a case-by-case basis.
   7. All observers exempt under this section will report to the on-duty Patrol Team Supervisor for further instructions. The supervisor will assist the observer in completing an application and waiver form, if necessary.

G. Civilian Ride-Along Log

The Recruiting Officer will maintain a log of applicants with names, dates, and times for all persons who apply and/or participate in the program.

BY ORDER OF:

Chris Watts
Chief of Police