Carrying weapons (with CCW) is not permitted during Austin PD ride alongs:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/police/downloads/Rider Form 2003.doc
Police Observer Information Form
• Police observers must complete and sign the Request for Approval to Ride in an Austin Police Unit form on the reverse of this sheet.
• NO person under the age of eighteen (18) will be permitted to ride as an observer in a police unit at any time unless the Chief of Police has granted prior approval.
• A warrant and criminal history check are done on all requestors prior to approval being given.
• Police observers may ride a maximum of 1 time per month unless approved in writing by the affected area commander.
• Police observers should appear at the scheduled time. If the observer arrives after the assigned officer has gone on the street, the observer has the responsibility of rescheduling the riding period to another date.
• Observers will be assigned to ride with officers of the same sex.
The area commander or the on-duty area field lieutenant must approve any opposite sex assignment (including spouses).
• Violation of any portions of the prohibited acts, or dress code, or any behavior that impairs the officer’s ability to perform his/her job, will be considered grounds for being banned from riding.
Dress Code for Police Observers
• Police observers are to dress neatly and conservatively.
• Cleanliness is required at all times.
• Hair and facial hair must be well groomed.
• Shorts and cut-offs are prohibited.
• Clothing bearing any sign or symbol that advertises any product, business or organization will not be permitted
• Clothing with offensive designs, logos, letters or devices is prohibited.
• Conservative type shoes or boots may be worn; sandals and bare feet are prohibited.
Prohibited Acts
• Will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to and during tours of duty;
• Will not use profane or abusive language during the tour of duty;
• Will not engage in excessive conversation, which may distract the officer or interfere with hearing the police radio;
• Will not make remarks or voice opinions to complainants, witnesses, victims, violators or suspects in any manner which would tend to provoke or degrade anyone or escalate tension;
• Will not be allowed into a private residence during the execution of a search or arrest warrant;
• Will not make known to any unauthorized person, information that may compromise a police operation, procedure or investigation that is either in progress or proposed;
• Will not make known to unauthorized persons the identity of persons arrested, persons being confined in jail, or suspects in a criminal act;
• Will not use information learned during a tour of duty for personal gain;
• Will not carry weapons of any type. Observers possessing a permit to carry a concealed weapon will NOT be allowed to carry a weapon during a tour of duty;
• Non-sworn observers do not have any powers of a police officer, and have no authority except when acting at the direction of a police officer.
Police observers will:
• At all times conduct themselves with proper decorum.
• Remain in the police unit during routine traffic stops unless otherwise directed by an officer.
• Remain in or near the police unit during disturbance calls and calls of a serious nature in order to summon assistance by radio if needed, unless otherwise directed by an officer.
