Thank you for posting this JT.

"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe

If I wanted to ride along, could I choose the officer I wanted to ride with?  Also, I'd want to know that there would be no chance of being asked to participate in LE activities in any way... just there to watch and to chat with the officer between calls. 

This does sound intriguing. 

The Canaanite's Call

Can someone please get this man a SPARKLE Award?

There was a split-second scary moment when we pulled over a headlight and the driver jumped out and ran back towards us. It turned out to be nothing, he asked if he was pulled over for the headlight and explained that he had just been pulled over. Common Sense says he should have just waited for the Officer to approach.

I was told that if he was in a situation that warranted chasing I'd be dropped off and someone else would come get me, though that didn't happen.

You say that a good cause will even sanctify war! I tell you, it is the good war that sanctifies every cause!
Friedrich Nietzsche

This seems like it would be a great way for community members to learn about law enforcement and how OPD works. I think it might be a little tense if I wanted to go for a ride, considering the lingering tensions surrounding the port protests of last November.

I did a ride along once, it was over 10 years ago now, in Madison Wisconsin. I had to do it because I had gotten into trouble for something, probably being drunk or smoking marijuana - I don't remember exactly what I did (maybe it will come to me though.)

Anyway, I had to ride with an officer for a few hours, probably about 3 hours as I recall. I remember we went to bust some people who had broken into the stadium. I think they were basically just hustled out and given a warning. It was a good experience though and I definitely gained some respect for the job that police officers do as a result of it.

 and instructive to "ride along" with the OPD's range master or weapon's instructor!  :-)  Barring that I think it is great the the OPD has a ride along program.  If I didn't have some ongoing issues with OPD, I may be intererested, but probably better for both parties to avoid this for the moment...  which is a shame, it would certaintly be an educational experience...

"Safety is a tyrant's tool; no one can be against safety."--Unknown

I knew that the department was a small-town racist group of thugs, but the invectives I heard upon my "ride"s return was enough to turn even my stomach. I almost got out of his car, because my Daddy always taught me "Son, don't argue with a woman who is drunk or a man who is armed." But I kept my trap shut and he got the picture that I wasn't real happy with this sheit.

I decided it was a lot easier to just use the reporter's skills to learn what I needed to know.

how things work.

Yes you can request a specific officer, or you can go with whomever gets picked at the briefing.

Many officers are not real keen with riders for a number of reasons. One, their system is messed up as the passenger seat usually is where they keep much of their gear. Now that is moved to the trunk. Also the social issue of having stranger in the seat next them, dealing with the normal social dynamics and then on top of that the officer has additional responsibilities to care for this person. Also a rider is a bit of a distraction. But usually after about 30 minutes things get more comfortable, and both officer and citizen get something out of the encounter.

Some of my co-workers that are not thrilled with riders have given me some heat over the this post, but I think good can come from this form of contact with the citizens we police.

Depending on what you might want to get from the contact might determine when you ride. If you want to see more action, the hours of 9pm to about 3am are your best choice. If you want to have time to have more conversation with an officer and still see some police work, then 7am to 7pm would be better.

JPO, you can come out and ride anytime. I get the sense you're a thrillseeker though. So the 9pm-3am would likely be more entertaining for you. We bid our shifts by seniority, and being an old fart on the dept I get to pick my shift, usually days, 6:20am-5:00pm. If you do come out and ride with me, we can swap motorcycle stories too. ;-)

There is an application process that you complete, and like Drew mentions, your criminal history will be checked. So if you have active warrants, you may not want to apply. Also, no felony convictions are allowed either.

If anyone has questions and doesn't want to ask them here, you can PM me and I will try to answer them.

No matter if the science is all phony, there are collateral environmental benefits.  Climate change provides the greatest chance to bring about justice and equality in the world ever.Christine Stewart (the real basis for the AGW scare)

JPO, you can come out and ride anytime. I get the sense you're a thrillseeker though. So the 9pm-3am would likely be more entertaining for you. We bid our shifts by seniority, and being an old fart on the dept I get to pick my shift, usually days, 6:20am-5:00pm. If you do come out and ride with me, we can swap motorcycle stories too. ;-)

You know me so well love!  ;-)  I am a total thrillseeker until it comes to crime!  LOL!  I don't know if I could handle the fear of sitting in the car with some idiot who's just endangered somebody somehow!  The human being/parent in me may be inclined to go off on them!  LOL! 

On one of your day's off, we should go ride! 

"A point of view is only a view from a point..." ~ Unknown

 When I get a chance to stop by OPD I'll get the ball rolling on the process.  If/when it happens I will put a nice article up on Olyblog, complete with what pics I can take.

"si vis pacem, para bellum"