Don't have time to attend a Citizens Academy? How about a Ride-Along?

Don't have time to attend a Citizen's Academy but you would like to learn a little bit more about what law enforcement officers do?  Why not do a "Ride-Along" with a law enforcement officer?  A Ride-Along enables the general public to observe first hand what officers encounter during a normal tour of duty. 

Many agencies nationwide allow citizens to do a Ride-Along with an officer or deputy.  Here is a list of agencies in the KC metro area that have a Ride-Along program:

City of Grandview Police Department offers Ride-Alongs for citizens.  You can fill out an application at the station.  To learn more click here.

Kansas City Kansas Police Department encourages citizens to do a Ride-Along.  To fill out an application click here. 

Kansas City Missouri Police Department encourages citizens to do a Ride-Along. To fill out an application visit any patrol station.  To learn more click here.   

Lenexa Police Department offers Ride-Alongs to residents.  According to their web page Ride-Alongs are not to exceed 4 hours and are not scheduled on weekends.  To learn more click here.

City of Raymore (MO) offers citizens a Ride-Along program.  Ride-Alongs will not last longer than 4 hours and citizens are limited to 4 tours per year. To learn more click here.

Raytown Police Police Department encourages citizens to do a Ride-Along.  A Ride-Along is also offered to citizens who complete the Citizens Academy.  To learn more click here.  To fill out an application click here.

Shawnee Police Department offers a Civilian Observer program for residents which includes a Ride-Along with an officer.  Non-residents enrolled in an accredited Criminal Justice Intern program may also participate.  To learn more click here.

Spring Hill (KS) Police Department offers Ride-Alongs to citizens.  To learn more click here.


Some agencies only allow citizens to do a Ride-Along if they participate in the Citizens Academy (Adults) or Explorers Program (Youth).  Those agencies include:

Cass County Sheriff's Office - Citizens Academy
City of Independence (MO) - Citizens Academy
Johnson County (KS) Sheriff's Office - Citizens Academy
Olathe Police Department - Citizens Academy
Overland Park Police Department - Explorers Program
Parkville Police Department - Explorers Program
Prairie Village Police Department - Citizens Academy


If any of the above information is incorrect or you would like to update or add an agency that provides a Ride-Along program please feel free to let me know either via email or by leaving a comment.  Thanks!


Oh and if you do decide to do a Ride-Along, don't catch the patrol car on fire. They frown upon that...

 

Many agencies utilize the services of volunteers.  Since this blog is not only about Citizens Academys' but also about volunteering, I will do an entry soon about volunteering with law enforcement and what agencies have volunteer opportunities for citizens.