Carry during a ride-along

[mloamiller]

Planning to do a a ride-along with the local PD and was considering whether or not I should carry.

• I am aware of no laws that prohibit carrying during a voluntary ride-along with local PD.
  The waiver I signed to participate said nothing about carrying, CHL or otherwise.
  I had to agree to a background check before the ride-along, so they know I have a CHL, yet have said nothing.
  I have talked to the officer setting this up about another subject (not the ride along) and mentioned I have a CHL, so he knows I have one, yet has said nothing about not carrying.

I've looked at several other forums on this question and the usual answer is "no, you're not allowed", but no one ever gives a reason why. It looks like legally, there is no reason I shouldn't; seems to be a "don't ask, don't tell" policy here.

Thoughts?

[C-dub]

Unaware of any laws prohibiting you carrying during a ride along, but they will almost certainly inform you that it is not allowed. And especially after that recent incident where a man was shot and died after the shooter thought he was going to taze the guy. I know it would seem like a good idea to be armed during an event like this, but it may end up causing more problems than good. A few folks on this forum have done ride-alongs and IIRC were told that they were not allowed to be armed during the event because it was their policy.

[A-R]

Regardless of whether you're preemptively told yes or no, bring this up with the officer so he/she knows if you intend to carry. Most departments will not allow it. But if you are allowed to do so, make certain you're aware of your surroundings. Even LEOs are required to disarm before entering Sally Port at a jail or in-custody holding facility.

[safety1]

I have carried during a "ride along" on a few occasions. I was up front and asked if it was ok, before doing so. ASK!!! don't assume just because you
have a CHL and the paperwork said nothing about it. ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry.

[jimlongley]

Regardless of whether you're preemptively told yes or no, bring this up with the officer so he/she knows if you intend to carry. Most departments will not allow it. But if you are allowed to do so, make certain you're aware of you're surroundings. Even LEOs are required to disarm before entering Sally Port at a jail or in-custody holding facility.

I was informed at my "safety briefing" about five minutes before getting in the car.

[bulinm]

Have you thought of asking the department what their policy is ?

[AJSully421]

I have carried on two ride alongs. Both times the officer was aware. First one told me it was fine, but that if I had to get out and involved to use the PD shotgun and to only use my personal weapon as a last resort.

I did not ask the department, you already know what the answer will be. Ask the officer that you are about to spend 8 hours with, do whatever he says without a single word or comment on the matter.

[mloamiller]

First one told me it was fine, but that if I had to get out and involved to use the PD shotgun ....

AJSully421, are you a current or retired LEO? I'm surprised an officer would say something like to a normal citizen.

[fickman]

I have done it both ways.

It's not against the law, but many cities will ask you to sign or agree that you will not carry. I'd guess it's a liability issue for them. There was a notable incident in Fort Worth where an armed CHLer intervened a little aggressively during a pursuit. It's worth contemplation. If you need it (and you're not a knucklehead), it means you really needed, and it'll probably be forgiven. If it's discovered, though, you'll likely strain your relationship with the PD and be unwelcome at future events. If you're participating in a community patrol type program, you might be disallowed from it.

When I rode with a family member, he asked me not to carry so that he wouldn't get in trouble, but then the first thing he did when I got in the car is show me how to 1) use the radio and 2) release the shotgun. He instructed me that if he was getting his butt kicked, I was to take 1.2 seconds to call for help and be on my way to assist in the next 1.2 seconds.

When I was in the Fort Worth Code Blue (Citizens on Patrol) program, carrying was strictly forbidden as a matter of membership, and the overseeing officers were not OK with a wink, wink, nudge, nudge. They made it clear that if you were involved in an incident and were not following the rules of the program, you were on your own and the City attorneys would not defend you. After that, it was a cost/benefit decision for each participant. I know what choice I made.

[BlueMerle]

First one told me it was fine, but that if I had to get out and involved to use the PD shotgun ....

AJSully421, are you a current or retired LEO? I'm surprised an officer would say something like to a normal citizen.

Several years ago I went on a ride along as part of some deal sponsored by my wife's work. This was prior to TX having CHL, but the cop I rode with told me the same thing. "If something goes down and I need help, grab the shotgun!"

I've never been LEO.

[AJSully421]

First one told me it was fine, but that if I had to get out and involved to use the PD shotgun ....

AJSully421, are you a current or retired LEO? I'm surprised an officer would say something like to a normal citizen.

Nope, never a LEO. I think it is standard procedure for an officer to instruct the rider how to get the shotgun out and its load condition. It happened exactly the same way to me both times, at different departments. "This button opens the lock on the mount between the seats, shotgun is loaded, not chambered, safety on... so run the pump, safety off, and you are ready to go."

What was interesting to me was that he wanted to make sure that the PD gun was used and not my personal weapon. I guess some sort of liability, or saving my pistol from sitting in evidence for a year.

Either way, nothing happened and it was not an issue.

I did know both officers from outside of the PD, if that makes a difference?

[suthdj]

I have done it both ways.

It's not against the law, but many cities will ask you to sign or agree that you will not carry. I'd guess it's a liability issue for them. There was a notable incident in Fort Worth where an armed CHLer intervened a little aggressively during a pursuit. It's worth contemplation. If you need it (and you're not a knucklehead), it means you really needed, and it'll probably be forgiven. If it's discovered, though, you'll likely strain your relationship with the PD and be unwelcome at future events. If you're participating in a community patrol type program, you might be disallowed from it.

When I rode with a family member, he asked me not to carry so that he wouldn't get in trouble, but then the first thing he did when I got in the car is show me how to 1) use the radio and 2) release the shotgun. He instructed me that if he was getting his butt kicked, I was to take 1.2 seconds to call for help and be on my way to assist in the next 1.2 seconds.

When I was in the Fort Worth Code Blue (Citizens on Patrol) program, carrying was strictly forbidden as a matter of membership, and the overseeing officers were not OK with a wink, wink, nudge, nudge. They made it clear that if you were involved in an incident and were not following the rules of the program, you were on your own and the City attorneys would not defend you. After that, it was a cost/benefit decision for each participant. I know what choice I made.

And thats why I never joined code blue, I dont need them to be a good neighbor and report what I see.

[Vol Texan]

When I was in the Fort Worth Code Blue (Citizens on Patrol) program, carrying was strictly forbidden as a matter of membership, and the overseeing officers were not OK with a wink, wink, nudge, nudge. They made it clear that if you were involved in an incident and were not following the rules of the program, you were on your own and the City attorneys would not defend you. After that, it was a cost/benefit decision for each participant. I know what choice I made.

And thats why I never joined code blue, I dont need them to be a good neighbor and report what I see.

It's the same here in Houston: If you want to participate in their Citizen's Patrol program (which is jointly sponsored by the HPD and individual neighborhoods), you cannot carry. Our neighborhood is often begging for new volunteers, but I've let our CP Coordinator know that I'll not join as long as they don't let me carry.

[ScottDLS]

If I wanted to participate in law enforcement on a volunteer basis I would do the full Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards training. Thereby be able to be sworn reserve deputy in my county. As a citizen and military vet I keep an eye out for my community. I'm armed and willing to use force against the "bad guys" I don't need a badge to tell right from wrong, though I support those who wear the badge/uniform.

[n5wd]

If I wanted to participate in law enforcement on a volunteer basis I would do the full Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards training. Thereby be able to be sworn reserve deputy in my county. As a citizen and military vet I keep an eye out for my community. I'm armed and willing to use force against the "bad guys" I don't need a badge to tell right from wrong, though I support those who wear the badge/uniform.

No, most people don't need a badge to be able to tell right or wrong, but a lot of folk, who want to be of some extra service to their communities or neighborhoods, either can't devote the time/money to get and maintain reserve officers commissions, or they may not be physically able to get through the academy, or may be too old in order to qualify for a reserve commission. Lots of reasons why someone may choose to participate in one of the neighborhood watch/Code Blue programs. A tip of my hat to those that do!