MOUNTLAKE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GUEST RIDE-ALONG POLICY AND APPLICATION In keeping with its commitment to community policing, the Mountlake Terrace Police Department offers qualified persons the opportunity to observe police officers at work through the Ride-Along Program. The program is open to all qualified persons with a bona fide need to obtain a first-hand perspective on the daily patrol operations of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. Only the following individuals will be considered as qualified persons for the Guest Ride-Along Program: A) Criminal Justice and emergency services professionals, including but not limited to law enforcement, fire/aid, communications, judicial system, corrections and juvenile services personnel. Also included here are persons under active consideration for employment by the Mountlake Terrace Police Department as full-time or reserve police officers. B) Government officials, including but not limited to members of city, county, state and federal governments. Also included here are members of the Mountlake Terrace Community Policing Advisory Board. C) Social services and education personnel, including but not limited to social workers, school teachers and administrators, mental health professionals, charitable organizations administrators and members of the clergy. D) Members of Mountlake Terrace Police officers' family and personal friends. E) Persons who are not included in one of the above categories, but who nevertheless believe they have a compelling reason to ride along may request special permission from the Chief of Police or his designee to participate in the Ride-Along Program. Examples of potentially qualified riders in this category include but are not limited to students actively pursuing degrees in law or criminal justice and members of the press. F) Persons wishing to participate in the Guest Ride-Along Program must read and complete in full the attached application and return it along with a liability waiver prior to being considered for permission to accompany officers. 1
RIDE-ALONG PROGRAM REGULATIONS: A) All applicants to the program shall read completely and sign the Ride-Along Policy and Application, including the Liability Waiver. Persons under the age of eighteen (18) shall also be required to obtain the signature of a parent or legal guardian. B) Guest riders are observers only, and shall not under any circumstances become involved either verbally or physically in the calls to which the officer with whom they are riding responds. If you have questions regarding a call at which you are present, ask them when the situation is over, after you and the officer have left the scene. C) As a guest rider, you are the direct responsibility of the officer with whom you are riding. You must, therefore, follow all directions which he or she gives you. D) Guest riders shall not under any circumstances have weapons of any type in their possession while participating in the Ride-Along program, including, but not limited to, guns, knives, chemical agents or batons. This provision shall not apply to riders who are full-time, commissioned law enforcement officers. E) Guest riders shall not be under the influence of or affected by any intoxicating liquor or drugs. F) Riders are expected to be properly attired. T-shirts, sweatpants, shorts, etc. are not permitted. G) Guest riders are responsible for their own meal expenses. H) If a situation develops in which the host officer believes that the rider will be placed at an unacceptable risk of harm, the officer may at his/her discretion drop off the rider; where practical, the rider will be dropped off near a pay phone, and will be picked up again by the host officer as soon as possible. If a rider is dropped off, he may call 9-1-1 for further instructions on getting picked up again. I) If a rider fails to adhere to the conditions of the Ride-Along Program, or if the host officer thinks that the rider's presence or actions are impeding the performance of his duties, the host officer has the duty and authority to terminate the ride-along, and return the guest rider to the police station. J) Guest riders are not permitted to have in their possession or use during the course of the ridealong any photographic, video or audio recording equipment, except where given written permission by the Chief of Police to have and use such devices for bona fide research or journalism purposes. 2
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT CITIZEN RIDE-ALONG WAIVER OF LIABILITY, RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT The undersigned non-member of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department has voluntarily chosen to ride in patrol cars and accompany uniformed officers of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department on patrol and in performance of their official duties, and to observe the law enforcement process during the course of said patrol, which is commonly known as a ride-along. Waiver: In consideration of being permitted to participate in a ride-along and accompany said officers as described hereinabove, the undersigned, for myself, my heirs, personal representative or assigns do hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the City of Mountlake Terrace, its officers, employees, and agents from liability from any and all claims of every nature and description occurring or arising out of the circumstances described hereinabove, resulting in personal injury, accidents or illness (including death) and property loss arising from, but not limited to, participation in the ride-along. Assumption of Risk: Participation in the ride-along carries with it certain inherent risks that cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. The work of the Mountlake Terrace Police is inherently dangerous and a participant in a ride-along may be subject to the risk of death or personal injury, or damage to property by accompanying police officers while on duty resulting from or connected with the use of vehicles, weapons, unlawful acts of force or forcible resistance by violators of the law or suspected law violators. I have read the previous paragraph and I know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks that are inherent in the ride-along. I hereby assert that my participation is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risks. Indemnification and Hold Harmless: I also agree to indemnify and hold the City of Mountlake Terrace, its officers, employees, and agents harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities, including attorneys fees brought as a result of my participation in a ride-along, and to reimburse the City of Mountlake Terrace for any such expenses incurred. Severability: The undersigned further expressly agrees that the foregoing waiver and assumption of risks agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the State Of Washington and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. 3
Acknowledgment of Understanding: The undersigned attests further that he/she has read completely this waiver of liability, assumption of risk, and indemnity agreement, and fully understands its terms and also understands the Mountlake Terrace Police Department Citizen Ride-Along Policy and Application, and agrees to abide fully by all the regulations described therein. The undersigned also understands that pursuant to qualifying him/her for the Ride-Along Program, a standard records check will be done, and that any negative information discovered thereby, including but not limited to arrest warrants and probationary supervision, shall be deemed grounds for disqualifying the applicant from riding. The undersigned acknowledges that he/she is signing the agreement freely and voluntarily and intends by his/her signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. DATED THIS DAY OF, 20. SIGNED: (Print Name: First Middle Last) D.0.B.: ADDRESS: (Street) (City/State/Zip-Code) PHONE: ( ) PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY/PURPOSE FOR RIDE: EMERGENCY CONTACT: (Name and Phone Number) PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE: (If applicant under 18 years of age) 4
================================================================== (DEPARTMENT USE ONLY) RECORD CHECK OF: RECORDS/WARRANT CHECK: WACIC/ / NCIC/ / PRMS/ / DOL/ / DOC/ / CLEAR (Y/N): COMMENTS: CHECK PERFORMED BY: APPROVED BY: (Shift Supervisor or Patrol Commander) DATE/SHIFT ASSIGNED: OFFICER ASSIGNED: 5