go-44.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Patrol Ride-Along Program CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 44 07/15/1985 12/28/2018 11 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES Florida General Records Schedule GS-2 General Order 46, Rules of Conduct General Order 77, Computer, Cellular Telephone, and Data Utilization PTL-29, Cadet Post ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CFA Chapter 14 KEY WORD INDEX Approval Guidelines Procedure II General Information Procedure I Member Responsibilities Procedure V Records Security and Retention of the PD 104 Procedure VI Rider/Observer Responsibilities Procedure IV Scheduling Protocols Procedure III POLICY The Department shall establish procedures for citizen participation in the Patrol Ride-Along Program. Members are responsible for adhering to the protocols of this written directive in facilitating a person accompanying a patrol officer during their tour of duty. DEFINITIONS Applicant: A person who has submitted an application for employment with the Department.\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Casual Business Attire: Any clothing considered acceptable for wear in a public business setting (e.g., slacks, khakis, dress shirt or blouse, open-collar or polo shirt, dress or skirt at knee-length or below). Immediate Family: For the purpose of this policy, a person related by blood or marriage, or a person who shares the same household. Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Data which alone can be used to distinguish or trace a person’s identity, or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked or linkable to a specific person, can distinguish or trace a person’s identity. Ride-along: The activity of a rider/observer accompanying a patrol officer during their tour of duty by participating in the Patrol Ride-Along Program. Rider/Observer: A person who is approved to participate in the Patrol Ride- Along Program. PROCEDURES I. GENERAL INFORMATION A. This written directive is applicable to any person accompanying a patrol officer during their tour of duty by participating in the Patrol Ride- Along Program. 1. The written directive is equally applicable to applicants, the immediate family of the officer, and law enforcement officers from other agencies. 2. This written directive does not apply to ride-alongs by members of the Cadet Post (PTL-29 [Cadet Post] is applicable for ride-alongs by cadets). B. This written directive is applicable to citizens who ride with a patrol sergeant or the Watch Commander. C. The Patrol Operations Bureau Commander is authorized to create and implement a feedback/survey mechanism to solicit information from riders/observers after their ride-along. II. RIDE-ALONG APPROVAL GUIDELINES The Patrol Ride-Along Request form – GENERAL ORDER 44 PAGE 2 of 11 PATROL RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM DECEMBER 28, 2018\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT A. The Patrol Ride-Along Request form (PD 104) must be completed for any person wanting to participate in the Patrol Ride-Along Program. 1. The person’s biographical data and other information provided on the PD 104 are used to conduct a criminal history check. 2. The results of the criminal history check, approval status, and the person’s squad assignment are noted on the PD 104. 3. The release and waiver portion of the PD 104 requires the person to read and acknowledge certain aspects of the ride-along. 4. A parent or guardian signature is required in situations where a person under the age of 18 is permitted to participate in a ride- along (see subsection F below). 5. The approval or disapproval of a PD 104 shall not be based upon a person’s age, race, ethnic background, religion, gender or gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, or economic status. Processing of the PD 104 – B. Members shall forward each PD 104 to the designated Watch Commander with oversight of the Patrol Ride-Along Program. C. In processing each PD 104, the designated Watch Commander is responsible for: 1. Ensuring the form is complete and requesting clarification as needed, 2. Ensuring the criminal history checks are completed, 3. Making the decision on approval or disapproval of the request, and 4. Communicating with the person regarding approval or disapproval of the request. D. For approved ride-along requests, the designated Watch Commander is responsible for communicating with the person regarding: 1. The required Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security and Awareness Training, and 2. Scheduling the ride-along. GENERAL ORDER 44 PAGE 3 of 11 PATROL RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM DECEMBER 28, 2018\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT E. A person cannot participate in a ride-along until all criminal history checks are completed and the CJIS Security and Awareness Training is successfully completed. F. The designated Watch Commander is responsible for ensuring the PD 104 and a copy of the person’s CJIS Security and Awareness Training certificate are properly filed and maintained in the manner directed by the Patrol Operations Bureau Commander. Also see section VI below. G. For ride-alongs involving applicants and the immediate family of the officer the PD 104 may be processed by another Watch Commander (or acting Watch Commander), but the protocols of this section are still applicable. Approval Criteria – H. Except as noted below, a rider/observer must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to participate in the Patrol Ride-Along Program. This age limitation is not applicable to persons participating in: 1. The Department’s Cadet Program, 2. The Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Tallahassee, or 3. The Department’s TAC Students Program. I. The following persons are not allowed to participate in the Patrol Ride- Along Program: 1. Persons who are the subject of active criminal intelligence, and 2. Persons under criminal investigation or being criminally prosecuted. J. A person with an arrest history, regardless of the outcome or disposition, may participate in the Patrol Ride-Along Program at the discretion of the Watch Commander. 1. If the arrest history reveals a sealed or expunged record, the following protocols are applicable: a. For a non-applicant, no inquiry shall be made regarding the sealed/expunged record. GENERAL ORDER 44 PAGE 4 of 11 PATROL RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM DECEMBER 28, 2018\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT b. For an applicant, an inquiry shall be made regarding the criminal charges which were sealed or expunged and considered a factor in deciding approval or disapproval of the PD 104. 2. Factors for the Watch Commander to consider in deciding to approve or not approve the PD 104 include the: a. Crime type(s), b. Number of arrests/charges, and c. Time elapsed from last arrest. K. A ride-along request from a person with a physical disability which would present a safety issue for the officer or the person (e.g., person confined to wheelchair, person with a portable oxygen tank) should not be approved. Approval for Being Armed – L. Riders/observers are prohibited from carrying any firearm or weapon (other than a common pocketknife) unless the person: 1. Is a law enforcement officer with a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency within the United States of America, and 2. Has received approval to be armed during the ride-along from the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, or the Patrol Operations Bureau Commander. M. If the law enforcement officer is not personally known by the designated Watch Commander, the approving member, or the officer with whom they are riding, the officer must present their agency identification or credentials during the approval process. N. If the rider/observer has received approval to be armed during the ride- along, the designated Watch Commander is responsible for obtaining the appropriate acknowledgment and s