Ride with an Officer

RIDE WITH AN OFFICER

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Do you want to experience a day in the life of a Tulsa Police Officer? If so, there is no better way than a ride-along. But be warned, if you have any doubts about joining TPD, you won't have them for long.

REQUEST PROCESS

In order to ride with a Tulsa Police Officer you will need to do the following:

Read the below policy statement, regulations, and procedures.
Complete the Citizen Hold Harmless Agreement online and print the page.
Have your Citizen Hold Harmless Agreement signature notarized, and mail or drop off the form to the Uniform Division (see below) where you want to ride.
A coordinator will contact you by phone to schedule your ride.

POLICY

The Tulsa Police Department encourages open and candid police operations and strives to establish a climate that allows officers to perform their duties with the acceptance, understanding, and approval of the public. Citizens are allowed to ride with officers to promote trust and understanding.

REGULATIONS

Participants shall wear professional casual clothing. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, and t-shirts will not be acceptable attire.
Participants shall be under the direct control of the police officer.

Officers will not allow participants to enter private homes or other areas where a citizen has a reasonable expectation of privacy without the explicit consent of the citizen. Participants will also not be allowed to photograph and/or videotape within these same areas.
Participants shall conduct themselves in a civil and courteous manner at all times.
Participants shall not interfere with police officers while in the performance of their duties.
Participants shall not perform police duties. In an emergency, they may take appropriate action to protect themselves and/or officers.
Officers shall not engage in pursuits while participants are passengers in their vehicles.
Division Commanders shall have the option to deny an individual's request to participate in the Ride Along Program.
Officers may request, through their immediate supervisor, that the Ride Along privileges of the participant be terminated for just cause.
Participants shall not carry weapons while they are participating in the Ride Along Program.

PROCEDURE

Citizens desiring to participate in the Ride Along Program must complete a hold harmless agreement to the division where they desire to participate.
Citizen participation will be limited to one shift per calendar year and scheduled within the guidelines of the shift rotation schedule.
Juveniles between 14 and 16 years of age may only participate in the Ride Along Program if they are an active member of the Tulsa Police Explorers.
Juveniles between 16 and 18 years of age may participate in the Ride Along Program with the approval of the Chief of Police. They must include a signed permission slip from a parent with their application.