Ride-Along Conditions and Rules

Please see our Patrol Ride-Along page for more information about this program.

If you are a Linn County citizen, and are free of the following disqualifying conditions, you are welcome to apply in one of two ways:

Disqualifying Conditions

  • Felony conviction
  • Misdemeanor conviction in the last four years
  • Currently on any form of pre-trial release
  • Ever committed to the Mental Health and Developmental Disability Services Division, or ever found to be mentally ill
  • Outstanding warrants
  • In the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for less than three years for having committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence
  • Denial may be made if motives for riding are determined not to be in the best interest of the applicant and/or Sheriff’s Office.

Rules of Conduct

The Ride-Along program follows established guidelines for the protection of the citizen observer. Deviation from these guidelines without the expressed consent of the host deputy sheriff’s is cause for immediate termination of the ride-along.

  1. All information and observations acquired by the citizen observer during the ride-along shall be considered strictly confidential unless otherwise stated by the host deputy sheriff.
  2. The citizen observer must realize that any action he/she witnesses during the ride-along may require a court appearance at a later date.
  3. Under no circumstances shall a citizen observer:
    1. Be permitted to carry any weapon unless authorized and approved by the shift supervisor.
    2. Operate the patrol vehicle.
    3. Act as an agent for the Sheriff’s Office or otherwise perform any Sheriff’s Office-related duty.
    4. Approach any vehicle on a traffic stop or approach any residence, building or other situation where the potential for violence exists or a crime is in progress.
    5. Enter any crime scene of a serious nature (such as a homicide) and/or touch, possess, tamper with, or otherwise have contact with any evidence.

Safety Considerations

The physical safety of the citizen observer is of the utmost importance; therefore, the host deputy sheriff shall weigh situations for potential hazards when responding to calls.

In cases of possible extreme danger (i.e. person with gun), the citizen observer may be let out of the patrol vehicle at a safe distance from the area unless qualified to assist. In situations with a potential for violence (e.g., fights or family disturbances) the citizen observer shall remain in the patrol vehicle unless qualified to assist.