INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since the pandemic started, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is inviting citizens into their patrol cars for a ride along.
The program was suspended due to COVID, but sign ups are now available.
IMPD Deputy Chief Josh Barker says a ride along is an opportunity for a community member or someone interested in a law enforcement career to get an up front experience about what the job is.
"I think people have to balance what they read in the headlines and the conversations with their friends about what they think law enforcement entails whereas a police ride along gives them an opportunity to spend a full 8.5 shift in a police car," Barker said.
Participants must be at least 18, sign a ride-along and waiver of liability and wear business casual attire on the ride along.
"[Participants will] have an opportunity to ask questions, see the officer interact in a countless variety of situations, make decisions, engage with the community, engage with their fellow officers and really just have a limitless opportunity to have a conversation about what policing in America is like," Barker said.
IMPD says they were frustrated when the opportunity had to shut down and are asking the public to take them up on this opportunity.
"This is an ability for our police department to interface one on one with someone who has experienced our policing services or observed our policing services," Barker said. "Even if you are uncertain about how you feel about the police department ... this too is a great opportunity for you."
-
“We are getting overlooked”: Neighbors say some Indy parks look forgotten
WRTV Investigates visited about 10% of the city’s 216 parks across the city including north, south, east, west and central. We found weeds, trash and broken equipment at some Indy Parks.Colts begin season trying to snap the NFL's longest opening-game winless streak
The Indianapolis Colts are trying to halt the NFL's longest winless streak in season openers at 10 straight.Caitlin Clark and the Fever are a playoff team and hungry for more
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever clinched a playoff berth without playing on Tuesday night with losses by the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream.Clarksville curveball: Louisville Slugger bats weren’t always made in Kentucky
The Louisville Slugger was crafted in Clarksville, Indiana, from 1970 until 1995. The Indiana plant was located on the other side of the Ohio River, and it cranked out 3 million bats a year.