Shadow an Officer
For a first-hand glimpse of a day-in-the-life of a University Police Officer, community members may shadow an officer on a Ride Along during his/her shift. Participation in the program is open to any University community member with a valid Wildcard.
Review the program guidelines and submit the form below. A University Police representative will contact you to schedule an appointment to sign the Program Waiver and Release and arrange a date for your Ride Along.
Please note: University Police reserves the right to refuse program participation to anyone for any reason.
Program guidelines
- Participation in the Ride Along program is open to any University community member possessing a valid University Wildcard ID.
- Participant must be 18 years of age or older, and they must sign the Program Waiver and Release form.
- Participation in this program will be limited to one session per calendar year.
- Participant shall be under the direct control of the assigned University Police Officer.
- Participant shall not interfere with Police Officers while in the performance of their duties.
- Officer shall not engage in pursuits while participant is a passenger in their vehicle.
- Officer may request, through their immediate supervisor, that Ride Along privileges of the participant be terminated for just cause.
- The conduct of participant shall be civil and courteous at all times.
- Participant should feel free to ask questions of the officer, but is not to do so when the officer is involved in an investigation or any other matter requiring undivided attention.
- The officer may explain or demonstrate the uses of various items and equipment inside the squad car. The participant may not touch any equipment in the police squad car.
- Remember, while you are with the officer, they are concentrating on a number of things that require full attention: listening to the Police radio, watching for suspicious activity or legal violations, and driving safely.
- If an officer asks you to stop speaking, please do so without question.
- You may expect to go wherever the officer goes, except entry into a private residence or other areas where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, unless you are given the explicit consent of that person.
- Photography and/or videotaping during your Ride Along is prohibited without administrative approval.
- If an officer is involved in a situation presenting undue danger, you may be asked by the officer to remain in a remote location for safety considerations.
- Seat belts must be worn at all times the squad car is in motion.
- The University Police Commander shall have the option to deny an individual's request to participate in the Ride Along Program.