Policy Text
Page 1 of 4 General Order 6-27 - (01/18/24 )
DEPARTMENT RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: DEPARTMENT RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM
Chapter
6 Number
27 Pages
4
References:
CALEA Standards : N/A Related Orders:
Effective Date: 01/18/2024
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 02/11/2019
Chief of P olice:
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish the policy and procedure of Department members
concerning the Ride -Along Program.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for review and remains unchanged.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department (RPD) to provide citizens with the
opportunity to be exposed to the Department’ s resources and to better understand the
operational structu re of the Department with hands -on experience, knowledge, etc.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this
general order. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action. Responsibility
rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any violations of p olicy are investigated
and appropriate training, counseling, and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or case in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive, if proven,
can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non -judicial
administrative setting.
V. BACK GROUND
The Ride -Along Program was created to develop a sense of mutual respect and
understanding between the police and citizens in the community. The Ride -Along Program
provides an opportunity for both the police officer and the Ride-Along participant to develop
mutual respect and understanding through interaction. The program provides an opportunity
Page 2 of 4 General Order 6-27 - (01/18/24 )
DEPARTMENT RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM to clarify the problems and concerns that the officer and the participant may encounter within
their community.
VI. PROCEDURE
A. Community, Youth & Intervention Services (CYIS ) Unit and Public Affairs Unit:
1. The prospective Ride -Along participant must complete a Ride-Along Application
and Liability Waiver ( PD-9), which may be obtained from the Police Headquarters,
any police precinct or on the police website .
2. The p articipant may return the completed PD-9 to the Police Headquarters or any
precinct .
3. Once completed PD-9s are received at the Police Headquarters or any precinct, they
shall be forwarded to the CYIS Unit for processing .
4. CYIS personnel will forward th e completed application to the Central Records Unit
for a record s check.
NOTE: Applications from persons working in the media industry (e.g. television,
newspaper, filmmaker, etc.) must be approved by the Chief of Police or
designee. Media personnel s hall ride along with personnel from the
Public Affairs Unit.
5. Once the record s check has been completed , the applicant will be notified via email
or phone if the applicant has been selected to participate.
6. The CYIS Unit will forward the completed applicat ion and a blank Liability
Waiver Form to the Executive Officer of the affected precinct /division or Public
Affairs Unit . The Liability Waiver Form must be signed by the participant , Duty
Sergeant and assigned officer/detective or Public Affairs Unit perso nnel prior to
riding with the assigned RPD employee .
7. The CYIS Unit, Personnel and Recruitment Unit and Public Affairs Unit will
maintain a record of the applications complete with dates and times of those
persons participating in the program. The Public Affairs Unit will maintain records
of media representatives and the Personnel and Recruitment Unit will maintain
records of police applicants.
8. At the conclusion of the Ride -Along, RPD personnel shall encourage participants to
complete a customer satisfact ion survey located on the police website .
NOTE: The completion of these surveys is optional but encouraged.
B. Affected Precinct/ Division /Public Affairs Unit :
1. When the participant arrives, the Duty Sergeant or Public Affairs Unit personnel
will check the participant ’s driver’s l icense or other form of ID. The Liability
Waiver Form will b e completed and the participant’ s name will be placed on the
Page 3 of 4 General Order 6-27 - (01/18/24 )
DEPARTMENT RIDE -ALONG PROGRAM platoon ’s or division ’s roster beside the name of the officer or RPD personnel with
whom the participant will ride.
2. The precinct’s Executive Officer or affected division/ unit will forward the
completed application and Liability Waiver Form to the CYIS Unit at the
conclusion of the Ride -Along.
C. Rules Governing the Program:
1. Conviction of any felony or misdemeanor offense involving moral turpitude may
prohibit the applicant from participating in the program. All other misdemeanor
convictions will be considered on a case -by-case basis.
2. The participant must be a U.S. Citizen.
3. The participant is limited to two (2) ride-alongs per calendar year , unless an
exception is granted by