Ride Along Etiquette

[Soon2BeCHP]

Hey guys, just curious here. I am doing my first ride along today and I'm very excited. However, I am curious about how to act or how involved I will be. For example, if we make a traffic stop, will I stay in the car? Also, do you Chippies prefer we not ride along the entire shift? I mean, should I offer to bail after 4 or 5 hours? The reason I ask this is I've been told that some officers find it annoying to have someone tagging along. I am sure that the officer will give me a rundown of what he expects me to do, etc. However, I'd love some feedback from you guys.

Thanks a lot!

[roaming_gnome]

Dress professional for starters.

The Officer that you ride with will give you all the information you'll require.

Be prepared to go the full shift, and then some if its required.

If you get out of the car, keep your eyes on traffic, and do what your told, even if you thinks its dumb.

And..... the most thing.....

Have fun.

[silverman10051]

While your on the ride along be sure and ask questions. Be informed about what you are getting into. If the Officer you are riding with is annoyed, well shame on him/her. Have fun and pay attention to your surroundings.

[Chippysgt]

Bring plenty of money since you will be expected to buy a steak dinner for the officer........

[Mac]

Good tips above. You may also want to do a search on "ride along", as there have been several similar threads in the past that will give you some good insight and information.

[Soon2BeCHP]

Haha, bring lots of money for a steak dinner! I dont have lots, thats why I'm joining the CHP! :lol: Just kidding! Thanks a lot for all of your responses. I appreciate them all.

[014542]

Just act like a normal person and be respectful. Don't dress like a gang banger or a 16 year old. Stay in the car for every stop unless the officer, specifically, tells you to get out. NEVER engage the public (unless he aks you to). It's OK to ask questions but NEVER make suggestions (unless he asks for your opinion). Bring enough money to buy yourself lunch or dinner; the officer will take care of himself. Most officer's are used to riding alone so if you decide to jump ship after a couple of hours then he'll get over it. Most officers would rather you didn't spend the whole shift with them but to be fair, many officers dig it. Feel him out and see which one he is.

It really doesn't matter anyway because unless you show up and make a total fool of yourself, it's unlikely that your conduct will ever get back to your background investigator. (If it does then stand by).

Bottom line guys, we're just looking for good people. If you're one of em, then we'll figure it out.

[FDandH]

Don't yell at a violater if he/she gets out of the car. Yes, a ride-a-long did that with me, he didn't do it again.

[Jeff Rhea]

Be prepared to help if asked to direct traffic or lay flares.

Also be prepared to make the call on whether or not someone should get a ticket or a warning. I always loved giving the ride along the call on speed stops. They always say, "Ticket!" What I really loved is the look on their face as we pulled out from the stop and I told them they just cost someone $250.00 or more! :redface: (About $400.00 for the woman on the way to her wedding! :cry:) Welcome to our world, who do we stop next? :badgrin:

Watch traffic, watch traffic, watch traffic, 'cuz they're not watching out for you!

I prefer to not have to worry about getting a ride along back to the office in the middle of the shift. Plan on playing all day. Have you seen the pay chart? We can afford our own lunch, and yours (I'm nice).

Have fun and do more than one!

[SB 405]

Okay Soon2be,how did it go?

[Soon2BeCHP]

It was awesome! I stayed the entire shift, and man, time flies! It is a very exciting job, and it was a great experience. At one point I found myself feeling semi-sorry for one individual who my officer arrested. This person seemed very remorseful for the decisions he made which led up to his arrest. It was sad, especially since his daughter was present when the arrest occurred. I have two very young children, and to watch a father be taken into custody in front of his kid, damn that’s tough. And then, the reality set in for me. I said to myself, "what an idiot!" Why would you do those things and make those dumb decisions? Especially since you are supposed to be a parent and roll model for your kids! I no longer felt sorry and, instead, hoped that he may be a little rehabilitated. :hitwall:

Anyway, it was great and I am very happy I did it. For those of you that are in the hiring process who haven't done one, you must! You might find that the job isn't for you. It would be a long, long journey to make it to the street and find out that you don’t want to deal with a gross fatal accident, or you don’t like working alone, or you don’t like ALL THE PAPERWORK! And oh man, there is a lot of paperwork!

Thanks again guys! I do appreciate all the help.

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

It was awesome! I stayed the entire shift, and man, time flies! It is a very exciting job, and it was a great experience. At one point I found myself feeling semi-sorry for one individual who my officer arrested. This person seemed very remorseful for the decisions he made which led up to his arrest. It was sad, especially since his daughter was present when the arrest occurred. I have two very young children, and to watch a father be taken into custody in front of his kid, damn that’s tough. And then, the reality set in for me. I said to myself, "what an idiot!" Why would you do those things and make those dumb decisions? Especially since you are supposed to be a parent and roll model for your kids! I no longer felt sorry and, instead, hoped that he may be a little rehabilitated. :hitwall:

Anyway, it was great and I am very happy I did it. For those of you that are in the hiring process who haven't done one, you must! You might find that the job isn't for you. It would be a long, long journey to make it to the street and find out that you don’t want to deal with a gross fatal accident, or you don’t like working alone, or you don’t like ALL THE PAPERWORK! And oh man, there is a lot of paperwork!

Thanks again guys! I do appreciate all the help.


I have been on about 20 to 25 ride-a-longs and of those five or six were with the CHP. Out of all those rides we had only arrested two or three people and that was with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. That being said, every ride was different and I had a blast on all of them. In my opinion go on as many rides as possible while in the process because even though you had a lot of fun on this ride, your next ride WILL be completely different. Good luck on you journey becoming part of the most elite L.E. organization in the world!!!!!

[FromTheNorth]

I just need to pass my written before mine :(

[CHPwannaBE]

I just need to pass my written before mine :(

I'm in the same boat as you bro. I am making arrangements to go on one the same day as my written. I don't think you need to have passed it before going on one because everyone I have spoken to(recruiters,officers,etc.) said that it shouldn't be a problem.

[CHPGuy]

Have you seen the pay chart? We can afford our own lunch, and yours (I'm nice).

Sounds nice. What area office do you work out of so I know which one I ride out with next?:razz:

[feedmelies]

Be prepared to help if asked to direct traffic or lay flares.

Also be prepared to make the call on whether or not someone should get a ticket or a warning. I always loved giving the ride along the call on speed stops. They always say, "Ticket!" What I really loved is the look on their face as we pulled out from the stop and I told them they just cost someone $250.00 or more! :redface: (About $400.00 for the woman on the way to her wedding! :cry:) Welcome to our world, who do we stop next? :badgrin:

Watch traffic, watch traffic, watch traffic, 'cuz they're not watching out for you!

I prefer to not have to worry about getting a ride along back to the office in the middle of the shift. Plan on playing all day. Have you seen the pay chart? We can afford our own lunch, and yours (I'm nice).

Have fun and do more than one!

Sounds like I should ride with you next time.

(But that's not a knock on those I have ridden with. They were awesome.)

[FromTheNorth]

I'm in the same boat as you bro. I am making arrangements to go on one the same day as my written. I don't think you need to have passed it before going on one because everyone I have spoken to(recruiters,officers,etc.) said that it shouldn't be a problem.


This is my second attempt that the written. And i was told that i could not go on a ride along until i had passed my written test. I was told that be my neighbor who is an officer and the local CHP office.

[AFtoCHPHopefully]

I don't think you need to have passed it before going on one because everyone I have spoken to(recruiters,officers,etc.) said that it shouldn't be a problem.

When I went on my last ride, in San Luis Obispo, they told me I had to provide my letter stating that I had passed my written. However, I think other offices may do things differently. That was just my experience. Good Luck!!!

[Soon2BeCHP]

I have been on about 20 to 25 ride-a-longs and of those five or six were with the CHP. Out of all those rides we had only arrested two or three people and that was with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. That being said, every ride was different and I had a blast on all of them. In my opinion go on as many rides as possible while in the process because even though you had a lot of fun on this ride, your next ride WILL be completely different. Good luck on you journey becoming part of the most elite L.E. organization in the world!!!!!

I have plans of doing more, though only with the CHP. Next time I want to do one in the LA area, such as Alta Dena, or Central LA. I did this ride along in the semi-rural Antelope Valley, which is ultimately where I would like to work (home). But, considering I will most definately be working in one of the LA area offices, I think I should ride along down there.

Fingers crossed for CTC II-08 :biggrin:

[Jeff Rhea]

I'm in Visalia.

I've taken a lot of riders out in my career. Like someone else said, each ride along is different. I've had days where it was all I could do to find someone to stop and give a ticket to. Then there was the day we went to a motorcycle down call right out of briefing. Two riders, both unconscious, and we were the first emergency unit on scene. Fortunately my ride along had just completed EMT certification, so I sat my bag between the victims and said, "I'll take this one, you got that one." She decided to join the Dept. Definately ride in different locations. Each Area is unique. The busier the Area the more likely you are to have something interesting happen. If you ride in Ft. Bragg, bring a good book....

[rusty57]

I have been on one ride along with the CHP. That was approx. 7 or 8 years ago. I tried again, but was told that i had to have a background investigator set it up. I'm active duty military and have a waiver in to delay my background investigation until i finish my military tour. So, not having a current BGI, i can't participate. That was here in San Diego. Hope that changes so i can start doing more. I have done other PD's ridealongs and enjoyed the CHP one the most.

[RayStats34]

Hey guys, just curious here. I am doing my first ride along today and I'm very excited. However, I am curious about how to act or how involved I will be. For example, if we make a traffic stop, will I stay in the car? Also, do you Chippies prefer we not ride along the entire shift? I mean, should I offer to bail after 4 or 5 hours? The reason I ask this is I've been told that some officers find it annoying to have someone tagging along. I am sure that the officer will give me a rundown of what he expects me to do, etc. However, I'd love some feedback from you guys.

Thanks a lot!

I just went on a ride along yesterday it was on B shift and I was out with the officer for 10 hours.The officer I was with said I could get out of the Car but I had to wait till he approached But I think you should just ask the Officer once you get there But I went with the Castro Valley,CA office