The Lane County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Ride-Along Program is part of an on-going effort to bring the Sheriff’s Office and the community closer together.  This program allows interested community members an opportunity to ride with a Deputy Sheriff during a portion of his/her regular shift.  Prior to approval, a criminal background check will be completed.  Any record revealed will be reviewed per Lane County Sheriff’s Office policy.   The safety of participants is the Sheriff’s Office main concern.  Partly in order to provide optimum safety to participants, the following rules have been established:

1. Residents 18 years of age or older may ride with a Deputy Sheriff. 

2. The appropriate waiver/release form must be completed and signed prior to riding.  No exceptions. 

3. The date and time for a participant’s ride-along will be set by the program coordinator after approval of the application.  Every effort will be made to schedule participants during one of their preferred times. 

4. Because of the active response to this program and limited availability of ride-along slots, ride-alongs are limited to four times per calendar year (every 3 months) per person. 

5. Participants riding with a Deputy Sheriff are asked to check in at the Sheriff’s Office lobby at 125 E. 8^thAvenue, Room 143 for Patrol, or  Reception at 101 W. 5^th Avenue for Corrections. 

6. Ride-along participants are required to dress in a neat and appropriate manner.  All participants are asked NOT to wear all-black clothing, shorts, or open toed shoes.  Appropriate dress would consist of dress pants or nice jeans (no holes), dress or sport shirt, sweater or jacket, and appropriate footwear.  A ride-along may be denied if the participant’s clothing is deemed inappropriate. 

7. Participants may be exposed to privileged/confidential information and must agree not to discuss such information with anyone. 

8. Participants must wear a designated “Observer” badge that will be issued by the assigned ride-along Deputy Sheriff and returned to the Sheriff’s Office front counter at the completion of the ride. 

9. Cameras and recording equipment may not be taken or used during the ride unless approved by command staff and the assigned Deputy Sheriff. 

10.  Participants are asked to bring a cellular phone in case an emergency situation (e.g. robbery, riot, pursuit) leads to the early cancellation of the ride-along.  Ending the ride-along is at the Deputy Sheriff’s discretion.

11. While riding with a Deputy Sheriff, participants will remain with the Deputy Sheriff all times, unless otherwise directed, and will obey without hesitation any and all instructions/directions given by the Deputy Sheriff. 

12. A participant’s ride may be denied or limited by command staff or the assigned officer if the above requirements have not been met, or for any unforeseen circumstances.

Ride Waiver / Application