Ride along programs

[IndyJeff]

Have any of you ever done a ride along program with a police officer? I did it for about a year and a half, every Tuesday night from about 10:30pm until 5:30am. A friend of mine Kim Cissell is the officer I rode with.
Now most of you don't know we here in Indianapolis lost a police officer early Wednesday morning. About 2am, the same time I would have been in the car with Kim.
If you ever wanted to do a ride along, while it can be interesting and very exciting, I would caution you to give it a second thought. I have not ridden with Kim in 10 years or so. He was involved in a situation where he had a rookie officer with him and shots were being fired. He told his boss that after that he didn't want anyone in the car with him. He was worrying too much about the other guy and ignored his own safety and he couldn't do that.

Here is a link to the story from the Indianapolis Star, Shots Ring Out in Neighborhood (http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/171577-6940-092.html)

When I got up yesterday and heard this on the news I knew it was his district. I anxiously awaited the releasing of the name of the slain officer. When the names of the officers injured were released I let out a sigh of relief. I knew that if he were on duty that night he would have been there, and he was. Thank God that this didn't happen during the time period when I was riding with him.
I talked to him today, he is doing fine but a little upset, naturally. He told me if I had been along like the old days I would have taken 3 shots to the chest, based upon the bullet holes in the seat beside him.
So if you thinking of doing it, kiss your wife and kids goodbye. Give them all a hug and leave like you may never see them again, because you may not.

[tommykjensen]

That must have been food for thoughts for You.

Don't get me wrong but in my opinion civilians have nothing to do in police cars on duty. No matter if the person signs a release form to acknowledge that it is on the persons own risk. As You say most responsible people would naturally worry about people they are somehow responsible for.

I don't know for sure but I think this is something that only occurs in USA? It sure is not something that occurs in quiet little Denmark :wink:

[IndyJeff]

Tommy I learned a lot while on my ride alongs. One thing is most people arrested for minor violations go to jail beacuse of their mouth. Another one is if you beat on your wife, your son will beat on his wife as your dad did to your mom. It was quite a study in human nature.
I also have some good stories to tell.
I think the program is benefical tho, it gives people a view from the policeman's perspective. I know there are people who hate cops, just because they are cops but, if you need a cop you sure are glad they are around.

Anyway, I am glad my friend is alright.

[cmM]

that's a pretty interesting thing, and sad to hear about the officer's death as well. They are prepared for this, I guess, and if anyone wants to ride in a sqad car, as you said, they should be prepared too.

As for people hating cops, that depends. I hate some cops, especially the ones who think that their badge places them above everyone else. For example, a police officer from my city, last night after I got out of a store and was pulling my car out of the parking spot was walking slooowwwwwlllly in front of my car, just to make sure he makes me wait. And there was nobody around, it was almost 10pm. That I do not appreciate. It pisses me off to the extreme, and they do it on purpose.

In the same time though, there are some officers who are examples to follow.

[IndyJeff]

ccM that had nothing to do with that guy being a cop. He just happens to be a cop second and an assh*le first, lot's of them around. I see em everyday.

BTW, I know quite a few cops and most are pretty decent guys. A couple are the one's who give cops a bad name, they are not on my "friends in blue" list either.