Ride along

[NSP]

Going on a ride along with a sheriff's deputy this Saturday. What should I know ahead of time about my CCW status? Should I carry? Should I not carry? Etc. Also any other related info I'd appreciate.

[Tom98915]

Considering it's a ride along IN a law enforcement vehicle, carrying might not be a wise choice. After all, on a ride along you are an observer, not a law enforcement officer. But if you insist in CCW'ing, it would be wise to ask first instead of being found out later and get yourself in trouble & possibly lose you permit for that matter.

[Glock32]

Down here that would be a no-no. Maybe the officer will let you bring it in the trunk. Ask first would be my recommendation and I am neither LE nor an expert on the subject.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by NSP

Going on a ride along with a sheriff's deputy this Saturday. What should I know ahead of time about my CCW status? Should I carry? Should I not carry? Etc. Also any other related info I'd appreciate.

Depending on where you are, they may allow it. But considering most departments won't let you bring along a camera, I doubt they will let you bring a firearm. You are better off calling them and asking just to be sure. From a liability standpoint though, I can almost guarantee they will say no.

When I went on a ride along with my local PD (before I had my CCW) I had a knife on me and had to place it in the trunk of the car when we went in to the jail. The officer had no idea I had it on me (he didn't care by the way) but I could have easily have brought it in to the jail and nobody would have known.

[hbliam]

I've been on ride alongs as a cop and wasn't allowed to carry at one agency and was at the other. Since your not a cop I wouldn't even consider it. There is too much liabilty letting you carry while interacting with the public as part of that agency for the day.

[G30 Steve]

Originally Posted by NSP

Going on a ride along with a sheriff's deputy this Saturday. What should I know ahead of time about my CCW status? Should I carry? Should I not carry? Etc. Also any other related info I'd appreciate.

You will most likely be required to sign a waiver releasing the agency from liability and read a list of rules before you go out. Most agencies stipulate no weapons allowed in their ride along rules. Liability issues, Officer Safety and friendly fire concerns are the drivers for this.

I would leave it in YOUR trunk at the station. If you get around to discussing weapons with the Deputy, you could mention that that you have a CCW but you left the gun back at the station. You will make points because it shows you can follow the rules. He or she may say, you should have brought it or let's go back and get it or they may say good, you can't carry on a ride along. Different people, including LEOs, have different opinions about CCW and you need to respect that.

[RomanDad]

Do Not Carry!!!!!!! DONT EVEN BRING A KNIFE... Its a liability issue for the Dept.

[SierraNevadaCCW]

I wouldn't go on any ride along without my firearm. But that's me. I know what could go down out there and I wouldnt' be caught unarmed out there.

When I rode along as a deputy at a city PD with a friend...I carried exposed with only my badge on a clip. Then we had a hostage situation at a gang house where I nearly shot a gang banger in the driveway. When the LT came to the scene, I was yelled at for carrying exposed and was told to conceal my weapon.

The brass won't allow it. The cop you're with may or may not. It doesn't hurt to ask.

[NSP]

I will be going for a 6pm to midnight ride so there won't be much civilian interaction. I know the guy so I'll just call him and ask at lunch today.

[AuburnHunter]

When I did a ride along I had to sign a release. On the release it specifically said no firearms even if you have a CCW. I would imagine each agency is different so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Just make sure you know where the shotgun release is

[Spicy McHaggis]

I think a more important question that should be asked is, do you think you will need to wear a kevlar vest on the ride along?

Also, on one of the ride alongs I went on, the officer gave me a quick overview of the inside of the car. When he was almost done, he said "Oh by the way, if you move this switch up it releases the shotgun." So, you may not need to worry about carrying. Have fun!

Edit to add: Just saw this will be at night. You might want to bring along a Surefire or some other flashlight just in case.

[NSP]

If I had a vest I would surely wear it. I also have a gerber LED flashlight that I'll bring

So they don't want you armed but show you how to arm yourself?

Okay, so I ask before we start and it will be resolved at that point. Good enough for me

[Tom98915]

Let us know what they say and how the ride along goes.


Nosy people have to know!!

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by NSP

If I had a vest I would surely wear it. I also have a gerber LED flashlight that I'll bring

So they don't want you armed but show you how to arm yourself?

Okay, so I ask before we start and it will be resolved at that point. Good enough for me

Yes, he told me how to arm myself in case I needed to. When an officer takes you on a ride along they are assuming a lot of responsibility in doing so. There were a couple of things that he had to do differently that night because I was with him, for my safety. One I recognized before and the other I didn't even know about until he told me afterwards. I would also guess that most officers wouldn't tell someone how to access a weapon in the car. I had mentioned I had the same shotgun, so he may have felt comfortable in telling me. If you know this deputy, he may do the same with you.

Also, don't forget to write the Sheriff a letter telling him about your experiences with that deputy and the others that were working that night. LEOs never get enough credit for the difficult job they do. That letter will go in his personnel file and will probably be read by to his crew by the SGT. or Watch Commander once it works it way down.

[NSP]

It got canceled for this Saturday and is currently on TBA status. He got that day off.