Dear Applicant:
Thank you for inquiring about the Santa Ana Police Department’s
Ride-Along Program. This program provides members of the
community with the opportunity to see firsthand how their police
department handles calls for service. In order to manage the number
of ride-along requests and to provide for the safety of the
participants, the following rules have been established:
Who can ride-along?
Members of the Santa Ana Explorer Program and authorized members of the
community who are at least 18 years of age. Any exceptions must be
approved by the Chief of Police.
How do I obtain authorization?
All patrol ride-alongs must be approved by the Chief of Police or the Watch
Commander. Ride-along with officer/employees assigned to units outside
the Police Department’s Patrol Division, shall be considered on a case-by-case
basis, and require approval from the affected Division Commander, or the
Chief of Police.
To apply, you must contact the Station Supervisor at (714) 245-8701 at least
2 weeks prior to the date you want to ride. You will be asked to
complete a ride-along application/waiver and will undergo a background
check. Upon approval, you will be contacted to schedule your ride-along.
Do I have to sign something?
Yes. You are required to sign an Accident Waiver that frees our insurance
carrier and the Department from liability in the unlikely event that you are
injured while on a ride-along. If you are under 18, your parents must also
sign the waiver.
Does that mean I could get hurt?
Police work by its very nature is dangerous. The officer you ride with will
take all reasonable precautions to mini-mize your exposure to dangerous
events or conditions.
When can I ride-along?
Ride-alongs are permitted during the days (Watch I) and afternoon (Watch
II) shifts and generally last 8 hours in duration.
What should I wear?
You may dress semi-casual but your clothes should be clean and neat.
Remember to dress for the weather, officers typically drive with their
windows rolled down (to hear better) regardless of the temperature.
Can I bring a camera?
Due to constitutional rights of privacy, cameras and tape recorders are not
allowed to be carried on Aristide-alongs.
Are there things I should not do?
Yes. Do not interfere with officers while they are performing their duties.
Afterwards, the officer may answer your questions about how the incident
was handled.
CITY O
F SANTA ANA
ACCIDENT WAIVER—ADULT
WHEREAS, the undersigned has voluntarily sought and obtained permission from
them Santa Ana Police Department to accompany Santa Ana Police Officers during
the perfor-mance of their duties, both on patrol and otherwise; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the undersigned to accompany Santa Ana Police
Officers in their police automobiles and during Investigations and Interrogations; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the permission granted to me
to accompany Santa Ana Police Officers as described in the preamble hereof and
keeping in mind the possible danger which may arise during such activities, the
undersigned does hereby cov-enant and agree as follows:
1. That
so long as he/she shall be in the company of Santa Ana Police Officers, or
shall be in a motor vehicle operated by a Santa Ana Police Officer, or so long
as he/she participates in the ride-along in whatever manner, (the
undersigned) assumes any and all risk of injury to his/her person or property,
and all risk of death, regardless of what causative factor or factors may lead to
his/her injury or death, or property dam-age.
2. That he/she forever releases the City of Santa Ana and all its officers, employees,
and agents, and each and every person of officer working with any member of
said Santa Ana Police Department, all hereinafter referred to as “Release” from
any and all lia-bility or responsibility for any personal injury, death, or property
damage suffered by him/her (the undersigned) while he/she is a passenger in
any Santa Ana Police vehi-cle, while he/she is in the police station of the City of
Santa Ana, or while he/she is at the location of any interrogation or
investigation, with or in the company of such em-ployee, member or
representative of said Santa Ana Police Department, and each and every person
working with any member of said Santa Ana Police Department.
3. That he/she covenants and agrees, for both himself/herself, his/her heirs,
executors, administrators, or assignees, to hold and save the City of Santa Ana
and all of its of-ficers, employees and agents harmless from any liability or
claim that may result from any injury to this person or from his/her death,
or from any damage to any property owned by him/her or in his/her custody.
4. That this agreement to waive all claims and liability, to release the City of Santa
Ana and all of said persons herein before described from any claim for liability or
damage, and to save it and all of said persons harmless from any suit for
damages, as herein above set out shall operate and be binding on the said
undersigned, his/her heirs and personal representatives as to all times he/she is
exercising the privilege or privileges herein granted.
5. I understand that I may become involved as a witness in a criminal or civil
proceed-ing by virtue of the activity I may observe. I may be required to appear
and testify in a court of law.
6. I affirm that I have not been arrested for a misdemeanor in the last year, or a
felony in the last five years.
