Policy Text
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 407 – Ride -Along Program
Page 1 of 6 TITLE: RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM 407
EFFECTIVE: 07/01/2015 REVISED: 12/02/2025 SCOPE : ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW AUTHORITY: PATROL DIVISION CAPTAIN
CFA STANDARDS: 14.15M (A-E)
407.01 Requirements 407.05 Supervisor Responsibility
407.02 Application Process 407.06 Officer Responsibilities
407.03 Requirements and Restrictions 407.07 Media Riders
407.04 Police Explorers Ride -Along 407.08 Records
Policy: It is the policy of the Kissimmee Police Department to allow authorized persons to
accompany a sworn officer for the purpose of familiarization with the City geography and/or patrol
operations. Additionally, authorized persons may supplement classroom training in basic police
procedures through observation and conversation with police officers durin g their performance of
patrol functions. This type of participation aids in fostering mutual respect between the public and
the Kissimmee Police Department. Certain restrictions and procedures apply to those persons who
may be authorized to ride -along as p assengers in the Department vehicle.
407.01 Requirements: [CFA 14.15M – A] The following individuals are eligible to participate in
the Ride -Along Program:
a. Current member of the Department Explorer Program;
b. Current student at Criminal Justice Academy;
c. Current applicant processing with the Department;
d. Student or graduate of the Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy;
e. Student or graduate of the City of Kissimmee’s School of Government Program;
f. Member of the media;
g. Current Law Enforcement Officers from other jurisdictions; and
h. Any other interested party as deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police.
Persons interested in participating in the Ride -Along Programs, to include City employees, must
meet the following criteria:
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 407 – Ride -Along Program
Page 2 of 6
a. Not have any physical or medical limitation that may adversely affect their participation in
the program;
b. Be at least eighteen ( 18) years of age or a member of the Kissimmee Police Department
Explorer Program;
c. Complete Criminal Justice Information ( CJI) Level One Security Training ;
d. Complete the following forms at least five (5) business days prior to the desired ride date :
1. Ride -Along Application ;
2. Ride -Along Hold Harmless and Indemnity Agreement ; and
3. Security Awareness Acknowledgement for Non -Criminal Justice Personnel .
Applicants with unacceptable criminal behavior or associations shall not be allowed to participate
in the Ride -Along Program.
Applicants must receive approval from the Patrol Division Captain or designee prior to
participating in the Ride -Along Program.
407.02 Application Process: [CFA 14.15M – B] Any person who requests to participate in the
Ride -Along Program shall be provided a Ride -Along Application. Completed applications shall
be forwarded to the Patrol Division Captain or designee.
The Patrol Division Captain or designee shall review the Ride -Along Application for
completeness, conduct a criminal history and Department records check and ensure the CJI Level
One Security training has been completed. The Patrol Division Captain or desi gnee shall notify
the applicant that they have been approved or denied participation in the program. The application,
Security Awareness Acknowledgement and a blank Ride -Along Hold Harmless and Indemnity
Agreement shall be forwarded to the proper Patrol Sergeant along with a Ride -Along Identification
Tag.
Special c ircumstances that may permit limited exceptions to the application process. These
exceptions are outlined below:
a. Non-sworn employees, when in a non -paid status and while acting as a private citizen, are
bound by the Ride -Along Policy.
b. Employees, when on duty and as part of their official duties, are exempt from the
application process and time restrictions but shall comply with the other requirements and
restrictions.
KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
General Order 407 – Ride -Along Program
Page 3 of 6 c. There are no restrictions as to the number of times / hours the Department C haplain s may
ride.
d. The Mayor, City Commissioners, City Manager, City Attorney and other City Department
Heads are exempt from the application approval process and time restrictions, but shall
comply with the other requirements.
e. All other exce ptions shall be evaluated by the Chief of Police or designee and decided on
a case -by-case basis.
f. All riders exempt under this section shall report to the on -duty Watch Commander for
further instructions.
g. The Watch Commander shall notify the Patrol Capta in anytime a rider is permitted to
participate in the Ride -Along Program under the exemption procedures.
407.03 Requirements and Restrictions: [CFA 14.15M – E] Participation in the program is
limited to one (1) time per calendar year with a maximum of fou r (4) hours per ride -along unless
an extension is authorized by the Patrol Captain or designee. Riders are only allowed to ride
between the hours of 0700 hours and 2200 hours unless an extension is authorized by the Patrol
Captain or designee. No more than two (2) riders shall be permitted to ride during any shift.
While participating in the program the rider