Police Ride Along

[TXGLOCK29]

Alright friends, please forgive me for the ignorant question I am about to ask you, but it must be asked. I will be doing a police ride along here soon because I want to get a small sample of what it is truly like to be a LEO before I go through the acadamy. I have watched every "Cops" episode and seen all of that but I thought it would be good to actually try this out as well. My question (albeit silly ) is as a CHL if I could be carrying during the ride along. This is a question I was too embarraced to ask my local PD in fear that I alone may lower the bar for how LEO's view CHL's with that question. Do you think it would be the officer's discression, or would it be the PD's policy. I am a proud CHL but I just want to play by the rules, and any advice is greatly appreciated!

[WildBill]

Not a silly question, but IMO, policy for any PD would not allow you to carry on a ride along. I would consider it presumptuous to even ask.

[propellerhead]

It was made very clear to me that I cannot carry even with a CHL during a ride in with Fort Worth PD. When I did the paperwork at the start of the shift, one set of forms I had to sign was to tell me I cannot carry.

[srothstein]

I have to agree with Russell on this. The law will allow you to carry, but the department may have a policy against it. Most departments will have you sign a sheet with a set of rules on it as part of their liability waiver. Check the rules for the department.

And I would not ask if it is not mentioned in the rules. There is an old saying (and most cops and soldiers live by it) that it is easier to get forgiveness than permission. If you ask, someone will probably tell you no. If you don't bring it up, the only way they will ever know is if you need it, and then it is always better to have it.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Keep it simple. Leave the gun at home.

[HankB]

Unless the "ride along" included a trip to a court or something, I would carry and simply not say anything; unlike entering bars, polling places, etc., there's nothing in the law that automatically prohibits carrying during a ride-along.

If I had to sign papers that explicitly prohibited licensed concealed carry . . . having been given notice, I would observe it and politely withdraw from the ride-along.

(If I were carrying during a ride-along, rest assured I would NOT harbor any illusions that I was a cop!!!)

[KBCraig]

You can, legally, carry on a ride along if they haven't said no otherwise.

You can legally carry even if they have said "no". As a government agency, they can't give binding 30.06 notice, and a police car is not off limits by statute.

If a department has a policy against CHL ride-alongs, they won't let you ride if they know you're carrying. There's no legal consequence if you do -- at worst, they won't let you ride again.

Disclaimer: police sometimes enter places that are off-limits to CHL holders, such as 51% bars and school buildings, or where you might have to face the discomfort of having to reveal yourself (such as entering a jail holding area, where your sponsoring cop also disarms). Take this into consideration.

[frankie_the_yankee]

Like I said, keep it simple. Leave the gun at home.

[lws380]

Leave the gun, but make sure you take your CHL badge!

[Target1911]

Leave the gun, but make sure you take your CHL badge!

[TXGLOCK29]

I appreciate all of the information you all have sent my way. I suppose (grudgingly) that I will have to leave my little buddy at home to avoid any kind of akward moments with a LEO. Talk about a time when you definitely would want your weapon with you though...on patrol surrounded by folks who may be criminally challenged. I know I am not an officer (yet) and definitely would not want to act like one in this case. I just carry my Glock 29 to protect myself, my loved ones, and any other law abiding citizens who find themselves in a lethal or potentially lethal situation. Good info from all of you! I definitely appreciate it, and don't worry, I will have my CHL badge polished and shined for that ride along!

[LarryH]

If you really need a weapon during the ride-along, there's likely to be a shotgun in the cruiser, isn't there?

What more do you need?

[TXGLOCK29]

well said Larryh! I'm sure the officer would not have a problem with me grabbing that (especially since I am a CHL) if, God forbid, he is getting shot at.

[locknload]

Leave the gun, but make sure you take your CHL badge!

Oh, NO! Not not the CHL Badge thing, again!!!