60832928.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nFFOORRTT MMYYEERRSS PPOOLLIICCEE DDEEPPAARRTTMMEENNTT GGEENNEERRAALL OORRDDEERR 33..22 TITLE: Ride-A-Long Program INDEXING: Ride-A-Long Program, Observers ISSUED: 12/03/07 REVISED: 05/08/2024 RESCINDS: 06/14/2019 C.A.L.E.A. STANDARDS: N/A PAGES: 2 CONTENTS This general order contains the following sections: I. Procedures PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to establish guidelines for the transportation of persons other than prisoners in police department vehicles. The police department encourages interest and involvement in the law enforcement process and allows reputable citizens and students to ride as passenger observers in police vehicles for legitimate civic or educational reasons. SCOPE These procedures shall apply to all Fort Myers Police Department personnel. SECTION I: PROCEDURES A. Authorized Observers: The observer Ride-A-long Program shall be limited to the following individuals: 1. Public Safety personnel (in or out-of-state). 2. Government officials. 3. Individuals authorized by the Chief of Police or designee. 4. Members of the media. 5. Applicants for police officer. B. Persons wishing to ride as observers in department vehicles shall complete and submit ride-a- long applications to the Operations Bureau Commander at least (10) ten days prior to the requested riding date under normal circumstances. C. No person(s) under the age of eighteen (18) shall take part in the Observer Ride-A-Long Program without parental consent. Parents of minors that ride shall respond to the Fort Myers Police Department and sign the Release and Indemnity Agreement. Youth between the ages of (15) and (18) may only ride from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. D. All ride-a-long requests shall be screened by the Patrol Bureau Commander or designee to ensure that they are based upon legitimate civic or educational reasons. G.O. 3.2 Ride-a-Long Program 1 o f 2 05/08/2024\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nE. The Partol Bureau Commander receiving requests from persons wishing to ride shall ensure that a local records check is completed. Currently employed and certified law enforcement officers shall be exempt from the records check. However, employment shall be verified. Requests from persons with criminal histories shall be evaluated by the Patrol Bureau Commander, and shall be denied where there is reason to believe that approval of the request would not be in the best interest of the public or the police department. F. Persons who have received approval to ride in police vehicles shall be required to sign a Release and Indemnity Agreement. 1. A Ride-A-Long Application must be signed by the Patrol Bureau Commander prior to the person riding. The Patrol Bureau Commander shall ensure that the Release and Indemnity Agreement form is signed by the observer and notarized prior to entering a police vehicle. 2. The Shift Supervisor will be responsible for ensuring that the appropriate paperwork is completed and that all procedures are adhered to. 3. The Ride-A-Long Application Agreements shall be retained by the Shift Supervisor during the ride-along and are valid on a one-time-only basis, unless otherwise specified by the Chief of Police or designee. 4. The original Release and Indemnity Agreement form shall be forwarded to the Patrol Bureau Staff Assistant at the conclusion of the ride along. G. The actions of the observer shall be under the direction and supervision of the officer with whom the observer is riding: 1. Observers shall be prohibited from assisting or interfering in criminal interrogations, physical confrontation involving arrests, or entering the booking area for the purpose of assisting in prisoner processing. 2. Observers shall not leave the vehicle, except upon specific instructions of the officer providing the ride-along. 3. Observers shall wear body armor provided by the agency at all times. 4. Observers shall be prohibited from carrying or possessing firearms or weapons of any kind. Exceptions: a. The observer is a certified law enforcement officer within the United States, bonded for the carrying of an off-duty firearm. b. The observer is a retired law enforcement officer holding a valid firearms proficiency verification card (HR218). APPROVED: [Electronic Signature on File] 05/08/2024 ________________________________ ____________________________ Jason Fields, Chief of Police Date Fort Myers Police Department G.O. 3.2 Ride-a-Long Program 2 o f 2 05/08/2024