Questions about Police Ride-Along?

The officer will not show you how to use a gun. In only the most extreme of emergencies would you need to use a gun. Your best bet would be to take cover if anything like that happens.

Radio is easy, just pick up the mic and speak.

Night shift will probably be more action but during the day shift you will see more car stops and such. So it depends on what aspect of policing you want to see.

Yes, bring money. You will probably stop at some point during the shift to have dinner or lunch, depending on the shift. Also, you will need money if you want to grab a coke or something at a gas station. I occasionally get college students riding along (we have a big college in a neighboring city) and I know they are generally poor, so I may treat them to a meal. But many officers might not extend that courtesy.

Gun? He'd better not. You have no business touching his weapon with no more than a few minutes "training." The department wouldn't let the OFFICER touch a weapon with so little training, he certainly won't let you.

Radio, perhaps. Although, in an emergency, it's use would probably be as simple as pressing the talk button on the microphone and speaking. Someone will be listening on the other end, no matter where it is tuned. What would be the point, otherwise?

Day or night? The night shift will probably be a LOT less busy, but, whatever happens will be a LOT more exciting, even a simple traffic stop. During the day, there will be a LOT more to do, due to the fact that there are more people about. It isn't an infraction or a crime unless a person does it.

Unless they tell you they intend to feed you, bring a few bucks for your lunch. If you want to buy the officer something to eat, don't be offended if he turns you down. Different departments have policies that prevent their officers from accepting "gifts" of any kind.

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It really depends on the officer and the department's policy. I personally would not show a ride-along how to use the gun, because first of all, I usually make the ride-along stay put in the patrol car, until I think its safe for them to be out. The radio part, yes, I would definitely show my ride-along how to use it. Where I live, there's not a whole lot difference with night or day shift, but people often pick night. Yes, bring money for food, the officer are not require to buy you lunch, unless he/she's nice. Yes, ask the officer questions. A little advice, if you're talking to him/her and the radio is on, be quiet so he/she could listen, and when its over, continue, and don't say anything that might offend the officer, and please, don't tell him/her how to do their job, other than that, enjoy it and good luck.

To answer the first question , no no and no... they will not teach you how to use a gun. Second question, more than likely they will show you where their emergency button is, and its used for just that, an emergency. Night shift is more fun. I prefer it over the day shift. And yes bring money.

no they won't show up how to use a gun .. they won't take the liability in case you shoot someone and no they won't allow you to use the radio but know where you are in case something does happen and have your cell phone in case you need to call 911. night's will give you more action and yes bring money for food or pack food -sandwich, chips, bottled drink - nothing that will spill over.

ask questions - most officers want a ride along to be interested in law enforcement not just doing it for something to do. good luck and have fun.

No on the gun, possible on the radio, although its pretty simple. I'd choose the night shift, myself, because it will probably be more interesting. You should bring money and food, as the officer will not be bringing your lunch for you.

The officer will most likely NOT show you how to use a gun, in fact, he may admonish you to keep your mitts off of the guns in the car. Then again, he may show you how to release the shotgun. Its up to the individual officer.

He might show you how to use the radio, then again, he might not. Its up to the individual officer.

If you want to see action, night shift is better. If you want to see the finer points of report writing, choose day shift.

And yes, bring money for food or pack your own lunch, you arent his houseguest and he is not your host.

Good luck and have fun, ask plenty of questions.

Learn how to use a gun before you go, and call your local park & rec to take a gun safety class.

Tell the cop you know how to use one, have taken the class, and if something really harry happens, you would like him/her to unlock it, so you can either defend yourself, or them in a pinch.

They are NOT going to allow you to have access to it if they are not confident you know what you're doing, and may not let you, even if they are!

Using a gun involves safety classes. It's not something a cop could (even if they would) show you with just a few "oh, and here's the trigger, and you hold it like this" or whatever.

It's a serious weapon, you need to know a lot more than just where to point it!

funny you ask, i have been on many ride a longs, and some will show you "just in case" and some will not...so just wait and see, it should be a great time!

LET ME ALSO ADD, I think what you are asking if **** hits the fan will they show you how to use the gun, your his "back-up". ...so yes,it's possible.