RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM

Policy Statement/Purpose

The City of Humble Police Department has implemented a ride-along program in order to encourage community interest and involvement in the law enforcement process. It allows citizens to observe the activities and procedures that are involved in the daily duties of patrol officers. It is, therefore, the policy of the Humble Police Department to allow citizens to ride as passengers in the departmental vehicles to observe police officers engaged in the performance of their duties.


Eligibility
The following persons are eligible to participate in the police Ride-Along Program:

1. Visiting law enforcement personnel
2. Department employees
3. A relative of an active or retired Humble Police Department employee
4. Professionals and students in the field of Criminal Justice and Social Science
5. Members of the news media and officials of the City or State Government
6. Current members of the Humble Police Department Citizen's Police Academy
7. Community leaders and members of recognized community organizations such as the Lions Club, Masonic Lodge, Rotary Club, church related organizations, etc.
8. Any citizen of the City of Humble, or a person who is deemed to have an interest or desire for greater knowledge in the field of law enforcement and has received prior approval to participate in this program by the Chief of Police or his designee
9. The Chief of Police or his designee retains the right to allow or deny anyone from all participation in this program at their discretion with or without cause or explanation.

Disqualifiers
Citizens will not be allowed to participate in this program if any of the following criteria applies to them:

1. An arrest for a misdemeanor above Class C or any felony
2. Currently under investigation by any law enforcement agency
3. Has been denied employment by this agency
4. Has been terminated by this agency
5. Has resigned from this agency to preclude disciplinary action
6. Does not possess a valid operator's license or a valid state identification card
7. If a person is a member of any organization or club, or participates in any organization or club, that the Chief of Police deems subversive to the department or the law enforcement profession.
8. Any person who has filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Humble, the Humble Police Department or any current employee
9. Any former spouse of a current employee of the Humble Police Department
10. Any person arrested or convicted of a crime of moral turpitude regardless of whether it is a misdemeanor, state jail felony or felony level offense
11. Any person with unpaid traffic fines or citations
12. Any person who is delinquent in the payment of court mandated child support
13. Any person under the inluence of alcohol or medication that has or may impair sound judgement
14. The Chief of Police or his designee retains the right to allow or deny anyone from participation in this program at their discretion without or without cause or explanation

Program Requirements and Restrictions
Citizens will not be allowed to participate in this program if any of the following criteria is not met:

1. Program participants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
2. Participants must possess a valid driver's license or state issued identification.
3. The Chief of Police, his designee, or the on-duty supervisor will be responsible for authorizing all ride-along applicants, issuing the proper forms, and providing initial instructions to the citizen. The file of original "Authorization & Release of Liability Agreement" will be maintained in the Communications office.
4. The number of rides should not exceed one (1) time per month, which is equal to approximately eight (8) hours, and is not to exceed a maximum of twelve (12) times per year unless the citizen (participant) can show a genuine need for this number to be increased. Special written permission may be granted by the Chief of Police or his designee. This applies to all eligible program participants.
5. No ride-along observers will have in their possession any of the following:  any weapon(s), handcuffs, pepper spray, and/or camera or video camera, audio recording device, cell phone, etc.

Program Rules and Regulations
Any person with a Concealed Handgun License must relinquish their firearms prior to riding in any city owned vehicle.

1. All civilians' participating in this program shall dress appropriately and must be very well groomed. Participants will not be permitted to wear short pants, dresses, skirts, sleeveless shirts, torn or tattered jeans, or solid clothing. All clothing including shirts, jackets, caps, etc., with a logo or printed wording that could be considered offensive to any person shall not be permitted. Inappropriate footwear including sandals, open-toed shoes and high heels shall not be worn. All footwear must be clean and in good repair. On all questionable clothing not covered by this policy, the on-duty patrol supervisor shall use their personal discretion concerning what is appropriate clothing attire for all civilian ride-along participants.
2. Any person interested in participating in the ride-along program that is the spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, significant other or other family member of an officer or employee of the Humble Police Department will not be allowed to ride with the related person. The on-duty supervisor shall be informed of this relationship by the employee and/or the civilian participant and the supervisor will determine who the civilian will be placed with prior to entering any city owned vehicle. It is not against this policy for these individuals to participate in the ride-along program but it is not recommended or encouraged. The participation of the individuals listed above will be limited to one (1) ride-along per calendar year.
3. A citizen observer involved in the ride-along program with the Humble Police Department will remain in the patrol vehicle at all times unless otherwise instructed. An observer is also required to follow all instructions or lawful orders given by the police officer with whom they are riding or a superior officer with the Humble Police Department.
4. Any officer from an outside agency who wishes to participate in the ride-along program and who wishes to carry their duty weapon must be in their home agency's full uniform. These officers must be full-time regular employees in good standing with their respective agencies. Reserve officers from other departments are not allowed to carry weapons. The same restrictions that apply to any civilian ride-along participant shall apply to reserve officers.