Sheriff's Office

Eligibility and Guidelines for Participation

• Any person eighteen (18) years or older meeting the criteria listed below is eligible to participate in the Sheriffs Office Ride-Along Program. Exceptions to this list may only be made with the approval of the Sheriff or Chief Deputy.
• Visiting law enforcement member of another agency;
• College student for purposes of a course requirement;
• Applicants or those considering applying for employment with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office;
• Governmental Official or an employee of Carroll County.
• Participation in this program is limited to once every six (6) months unless otherwise approved by the Commander, Patrol Division.
• All persons requesting to participate in this program must complete and submit a Ride-Along Application (CCSO #040), which includes a waiver of liability.
• All persons requesting to participate in this program must agree to a record check and may not participate if convicted or charged with a felony.
• Only one (1) ride-along participant may accompany a deputy at any given time. Ride-along participants will not be permitted to ride with a relative who is a deputy.

1. The dress code for ride-along participants is casual clothing. However, the clothing must be appropriate, i.e. no shorts, tank tops, etc.
2. Ride-along participants are prohibited from carrying or possessing weapons of any kind.
3. Ride-along participants must arrange for transportation to and from the Sheriff's Office.
4. Ride-along participants are issued an identification card and must wear the card throughout the ride-along.
5. In order to comply with Sheriff's Office policies and procedures, ride-along participants must utilize the safety belts and other equipment in the Sheriff's Office vehicle.
6. The transportation of prisoners in the same vehicle as ride-along participants is prohibited.
7. If the host deputy's assignment requires entering a private residence or private property not open to public, under no circumstance is a ride-along participant permitted to accompany the deputy. This includes accompanying the deputy to the door of a residence. The ride-along participant must either remain in the Sheriff's Office vehicle or on public property.
8. If the host deputy is required to respond to a serious incident which may present a danger to a ride-along participant the host deputy must leave the participant at a safe location prior to responding to the incident. The ride-along participant must remain at the safe location until the host deputy, another deputy or police officer responds to their location. Ride-along participants will be instructed on how to contact assistance in the event of an emergency or other unsafe condition.
9. Ride-along participants must not interfere in any way with the host deputy's handling of a situation. Ride­ along participants must hold all questions and comments concerning the manner in which a situation is handled until they have departed from the incident scene.
10. Ride-along participants may observe an event during the ride-along that could require their appearance in court as a witness.
11. The ride-along may be terminated and the participant returned to the Sheriff's Office under the following situations:
    • The failure of the ride-along to act in an appropriate and professional manner.
    • The failure of the ride-along to comply with the instructions of the host deputy.
    • If a determination is made by a supervisor, that the host deputy is needed for another assignment.
    • If a supervisor, determines that it is in the best interest of the Sheriff's Office to discontinue the ride­ along.
12. Ride-along participants are not permitted to use any device to capture audio, video, or photographs during the ride-along. Information learned during the ride-along is considered confidential No Information may be released by the rider/observer for any purpose unless prior permission is granted.

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